Rory McIlroy after carding a birdie at the 18th at St Andrew's

McIlroy carded a final round of 68 at St Andrews on Sunday to end on 15 under par and pick up a �147,000 prize in his second tournament as a professional.

Two of the 18-year-old's eight birdies came at the 17th and 18th holes but two bogeys and a double bogey at the 14th where he was out-of-bounds were costly.

Nick Dougherty won on 18 under with Justin Rose second on 16 under.

Interview: Rory McIlroy

McIlroy opened the tournament with a 71 at Carnoustie on Thursday, followed by a 67 at St Andrew's and then another 67 at Kingsbarns on Saturday.

The Holywood player had finished in a tie for 42nd place in his first tournament in the professional ranks at the British Masters last week, earning �10,440.

He has now earned �157,924 from his two professional events and jumped to 110th on the money list

McIlroy is the youngest player ever to earn a European Tour card from tournament-play and also achieved the feat in the shortest time ever.

When I talked about my chance of making the card this week to Lee Westwood he told me that I could win Rory McIlroy

Sergio Garcia had earned his card at 19 years of age after his fourth event as a professional.

"I knew at the start of the week that I needed to do something pretty special to get my tour card and I am absolutely ecstatic," said McIlroy on Sunday.

"There have been a lot of great players come into the game pretty young, including Tiger (Woods) and Sergio and I'm trying to take it all in my stride.

"When I talked about my chance of making the card this week to Lee (Westwood) he told me that I could win the tournament.

"When someone like Lee tells you that it gives you a lot of confidence. Hopefully this is a huge step towards bigger and better things."

Padraig Harrington tied for eighth place on 12 under at the Dunhill Links Championship after firing a one-over-par 73 on Sunday.

Paul McGinley and Gary Murphy both ended on nine under after final rounds of 71 and 69 respectively.

Graeme McDowell was equal 36th on seven under thanks to a closing 73.

Darren Clarke missed the cut after lying on four under after three rounds.