Rory McIlroy just misses out on the Omega European Masters Golf Championship at 19 years old.

Frenchman, Jean Francois Lucquin holed for a birdy in a two hole play off for his first ever win on the European Tour.

After a couple of bogies early on, (it has to be said not helped by someone standing on his ball on the first) Rory McIlroy was caught and passed early on by members of the chasing pack who started four shots behind. However, after a 300 + yard drive to the fringe of the green on the par 4 fifth, Rory McIlroy settled his round with a birdy.

After a frustrating series of missed birdy chances, Rory really had a "must make" putt on the 12th. Sinking this gave him a share of the lead at -13, with 2 par fives to follow in the remaining six holes, something Rory's driving ability from the tee would potentially allow him to capitalize on. After a superb birdy at the par five 15th, he took the sole lead at 14 under par with three holes left to play, just as Jiminez posted a club house lead of 12 under par - Jiminez could have made it a club house lead of 14 but for a couple of short putts lipping, or just slipping by the hole.

There are very few straight putts at the Omega Masters but it has to be said that Rory McIlroy was sure from those tricky inside 4 feet putts the whole day, rattling them in.

Jiminez was passed by Lucquin from France who posted a new -13 clubhouse lead, just as Rory McIlroy lined up his second shot at the 18th. The pressure, unrelenting since the opening holes, was well and truly on.

99 yards to the pin, with a sand iron to the last he found the fringe just past the pin - adrenalin fueled perhaps - still, in normal circumstances not a difficult chip for an up and down.

Controlling his emotions was essential as his chip slipped by the hole. Rory McIlroy was left with a five footer to seal his first win on the European Tour. Rory had to wait a long couple of minutes before his putt. Long time friend Dinwiddie holed his putt for a - 12, and Cevaer's putt for - 13 just slid by. Rory McIlroy tweaked left - maybe a bit rushed.

All his amateur experience in matchplay and the Walker cup would be called on in a play off situation - sudden death with Lucquin who had had more time to prepare. Neither player had ever been in a play off situation - new territory for both. Side by side after their drives both players must have wanted to play first... it was Rory McIlroy to go first by a whisker - sand iron from 110 yards - it pitched just inside the fringe and spun back. Following his pitch it was Lucquin to putt first - the adrenalin was clearly flowing - the putt slid by. Rory McIlroy followed - his own putt slid by. They were back to the 18 tee, Lucquin with the honour.

It must not be underestimated the pressure Rory was under, ultimately beaten by a birdie on the second hole play off, his drive had found the rough, and after just missing a birdie the pressure told as his par putt lipped out of the hole, again tweaking left. The Frenchman, pressure off, holed his birdie to be a deserving first time winner on the European Tour.

Rory McIlroy is a class act, staying on to sign autographs despite the play off defeat, and will surely have learn't a lot for the next time he is in contention on the European Tour.