SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Two matchplay qualifiers from Ayrshire as Smyth equals course record en route.

Jack Broun (Ayr Belleisle) and Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) were the only two Ayrshire qualifiers for the matchplay stages of the 2019 Scottish Amateur Championship, being held this week at Crail, following conclusion of the two strokeplay qualifying rounds on Wednesday 31^st July, when they both posted ten under par totals of 131.

Broun opened with a 62 over the shorter Balcomie course on Monday and followed with a  69 over the Craighead links on Wednesday. whilst Smyth followed his opening 71 on the Craigend course with a superb nine under par course record equalling score of 60 on the Balcomie links on Wednesday

There scores left the Ayrshire pair just two off the best qualifying score, in joint fourth place.

Leading Scores :-

129 (-12) – Stuart Mclaren (Bruntsfield Links) 68/61

130 (-11) – Eric McIntosh (Bruntsfield Links) 62/68, Darren Howie (Peebles) 62/68

131 (-10) – Angus Carrick (Craigielaw) 67/64, Will Porter (Carnoustie) 65/66,

      Jack Broun (Ayr Belleisle) 62/69, Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) 71/60

      Jeff Wright (Forres) 63/68

132 (-9) – Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill) 62/70, Marcus Rickard (Cupar) 64/68

The cut for the matchplay stages fell at 140, one under par and Ayrshire players who failed to make the cut were:-

141 – Elliot Thom (Turnberry) 66/75

142 - Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) 72/70

142 – Stuart Easton (Irvine) 67/75

146 – James Bunch (Prestwick) 68/78

146 – Blair Morton (Royal Troon) 64/82

146 – Sean Addie (Ayr Belleisle) 69/77

146 – Robbie Muir (Kilmarnock Barassie) 76/70

149 – Jonathan Stevenson (Troon St Meddans) 80/69

151 – Euan Ferguson (Turnberry) 79/72

151 – Robbie Stewart (Troon Portland) 71/80

153 – James McCullagh (Kilmarnock Barassie) 73/80

154 – Callum Irving (Ayr Belleisle) 80/74

157 – Aidan Long (Ayr Belleisle) 78/79

165 – Jordan Sweeney (Ayr Belleisle) 80/85

N/R – Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride)

In the opening round of the matchplay on Thursday morning, Jack Broun plays G Brown (Cathkin Braes GC), teeing off at 10.02 am, whilst Michael Smyth faces Matthew Miller (Lundin GC) with an 11.06 am start.