SCOTTISH MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Buchanan and Hedger carry Ayrshire hopes into last sixteen

Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) and Ayrshire matchplay Champion Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) carry Ayrshire's hopes into the last sixteen of the 2022 Scottish Men's Amateur Championship at Glasgow Gailes, after the first two rounds of matchplay were completed on Thursday the 28th of July.

The Story of the morning was the performance of former Scotland internationalist and previous championship finalist Steven McEwan (Caprington), the 64th and last qualifier for the matchplay stages, who ousted the defending champion and top qualifier Angus Carrick (Craigielaw) by a single hole in the opening round 

In the afternoon however, Steven McEwan bowed out of the championship, losing by a single hole on the final green to Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) in an all Ayrshire match, after Buchanan had defeated Ewan Cuthbert (Nairn) on the final green in his first round match in the morning.

Dylan Cairns (Royal Troon) was defeated in the opening round by a single hole against Connor Wilson (Castle Park), who went on to claim another Ayrshire scalp in the afternoon, beating Sean Addie (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 3&2, despite Addie's good morning form that saw him win his first round match against Allyn Dick (Kingsfield) by 6&5.

Craig Chalmers (Western Gailes) and Elliot Thom (Scottish Golf Open Play) also bowed out in the opening round, losing to Jamie Roberts (Muckhart) and John Paterson (New Club St Andrews) by 3&2 and at the 22nd hole respectively. 

Robbie Muir (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost his opening tie to Callum Bruce (Duff House Royal) by 5&4 whilst Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck) was unfortunate to lose out at the first extra hole in his first round match against Scott Mann (Carnoustie).

The all Ayrshire first round tie went the way of Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride), who defeated Steven Stamper (Turnberry) by 3&1, and the victor went on to book his place in the last sixteen with a second round win by two holes over Mitchell Cowie (Dumfries & County).

The two remaining Ayrshire players make their bid for a place in the quarter finals when they tee off in round three on Friday morning.

Sandy Buchanan is out in the first match on the course, at 8.00 am, against Oliver Mukherjee (Gullane) whilst Shaun Hedger tees off at 8.40 am against Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill)