SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire trio into third round

Three of the first round Ayrshire winners on Monday in the 2010 Scottish Amateur Championship booked their third round places with victories in their second round matches on Tuesday afternoon, whilst Jamie Mackay and Michael Stewart progressed to the second round in their opening ties.

With four Ayrshire players featuring in the early morning first round ties which remained, Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) bowed out after a 3&2 defeat by Michael Robertson (Selkirk) before Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Brendan McKenna (Pollock) by 5&4 to set up a second round match against Munro Ferries (Tain) and third seed Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) got his bid for the title off and running with a 4&3 win over Brian Souter (Leven GS). Stewart now faces Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire County) in round 2.

The final Ayrshire player in action, playing in the penultimate first round match, was Colin Robinson (Largs) who was defeated 2&1 by Paul Ferrier (Baberton).

The second round matches got under way on Tuesday morning and Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) was the first Ayrshire player through to round three when he beat Brian Erskine (Merchants Of Edinburgh) by 2&1. Smyth now faces Bobby Rushford (Grangemouth) in the third round on Wednesday.

Ayrshire Order Of Merit title holder Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) made it two from two into round three with a one hole win over Sean McGarvey (Glencorse). hamilton now faces reigning Scottish Boys Champion Grant Forrest (Craigielaw) for a place in the fourth round.

After a comprehensive win in round 1, Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) - pictured right - continued his form with a comfortable 6&5 win over Steven Rennie (Drumpellier) in the second round, to give Ayrshire three players from three into the third round of the championship at this stage.

Moultrie now faces an interesting third round match against the fourth seed Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh).

The remaining second round matches and all the third round ties are scheduled to be completed on Wednesday.