SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Stewart's reign ends in third round

The reign of Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) as Scottish Amateur Champion is over. The title holder crashed out of the 2011 championship in round three on Wednesday evening, defeated 4 & 3 by Bobby Rushford (Grangemouth).

Also making a third round exit was Stewart's clubmate Stephen Murray who lost out by one hole to Michael Campbell (Renfrew).

After the disappointment of the exit of the two Troon welbeck players, Ayrshire hopes were revived by form man Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) who defeated Gordon stevenston (Whitecraigs) by 4 & 3 to secure a place in the last 32, where he will meet Scott Gibson (Southerness) on Thursday morning.

Adding to the Ayrshire presence in the last 32 are Marc Smith (Troon Welbeck) and Kenneth McKaskill (Turnberry Staff). Smith beat Cameron West (Scotscraig) by one hole in their Wednesday afternoon third round tie and goes forward to meet Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) in round four, whilst McKaskill had a 6 & 4 win over Euan Waugh (Whitecraigs) to set up a fourth round clash with Scotland internationalist and 2009 champion David Law (Hazelhead).

Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) kept his hopes alive with a one hole victory over Scott Crichton (Aberdour) and now plays Paul Alexander (Caldwell) for a place in the last 16, who beat Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) by 0ne hole in their third round clash.

Allan Thomson (Ayr Belleisle) followed his last hole win on Wednesday morning in round 2 with a win at the third extra hole against Daniel Thompsett (Aboyne) in the third round on Wednesday afternoon, and now faces Greg Richards (Kingsknowe) for a place in the last 16 on Thursday morning.


Graeme Rowan (Ballochmyle) bowed out in round three, losing by 4 & 3 to Darren Gould (Woodhall Spa) whilst Ewan McKinnon (Corrie) was also defeated in the third round, going down by 8 & 7 to Scott Borrowman (Dollar).

Scott Brown (Turnberry) beat Chris Lawton (Falkirk Tryst) at the first extra hole in their third round match and now plays Eamon Bradley (Mount Ellen) in the fourth round on Thursday morning.

The all Ayrshire third round tie ended in a win by two holes for John Shanks (Irvine) over Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle). Shanks now faces second seed James Byrne (Banchory) in the last 32 on Thursday.

Wednesday's play now leaves seven Ayrshire players in the last 32 of the championship.