Thorp claims Silver Medal success

Thorp now hopes to earn his card on the European Tour

Norway's Marius Thorp claimed the Silver Medal for the leading amateur at the Open Championship after an impressive closing round of 71.

The 18-year-old finished the event on level par, seven shots better than Italian Edoardo Molinari - the only other amateur to complete four rounds.

The score meant he matched the final round and four-round totals of playing partner Tom Watson.

"What a guy, I learned so much from him," said Thorp.

Highlights: The Open final round

"I played with one of the biggest legends of the game and he showed me how to play the course and how to get around. You can see he still knows how to play good golf."

Marius has the ability to be a great player Tom Watson

Thorp started the round in the worst possible way with a bogey at the first, but after nine straight pars he secured birdies at 11 and 12.

He then bogeyed the 17th but after letting Watson claim the adulation of the crowd at the last, claimed another birdie to end the round on a high.

"You have to be nervous on such a big stage but I just believed in my swing and did what I do best and it went well for me," he said.

"It's been fantastic; all four days have been good."

And five-time Open winner Watson was full of praise for his younger colleague.

"Marius has the ability to be a great player, " he said. "He is fearless with the putter - I remember those days.

"That was something I used to revel in and I wish I was like that again."

Thorp intends to turn professional should he be successful at the European Tour school in November.