THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - McEwan is sole Ayrshire survivor into match play stages

Steven McEwan (Caprington) is the sole Ayrshire representative in the matchplay stages of the 2008 Amateur Championship being played this week at Turnberry, after wet and windy conditions on Tuesday 17th June ended the hopes of the other four locals in the field.

The qualifying stages, led by Englishman Sam Hutsby (Liphook) on 139, were subject of windy gusts and heavy showers throughout the afternoon, which led to some notable casualties failing to progress to the matchplay stages.

McEwan followed his opening day 71 with 78 on Tuesday for a total of 149, leaving him in equal 36th place and beating the cut by only 1 shot, the axe falling on 150 to provide the 64 competitors in the match play stages.

Scottish Boys Champion Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) struggled to an 82 on day 2 to miss the cut by 5 shots, on 155 and 134th equal.

Ross Dixon (Kilmarnock Barassie) had a creditable 76 on Tuesday but missed the qualifying mark by the same margin as Stewart as he also returned a 155 total over the two days.

The two remaining Ayrshire players in the field both finished 235th equal, on 161, Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) scoring 81 - 80 and Robert McKnight (Caprington) returning 78 - 83.

In the first round of the matchplay, on Wednesday 18th June, Steven McEwan faces a 1200 noon showdown with Matthew Nixon (Ashton-Under-Lyne).