AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - First round ties completed at Prestwick

The first round ties in the 2026 Ayrshire Boy's Matchplay Championship were completed in glorious weather on Tuesday the 11th of August at Prestwick Golf Club, with the four successful players progressing to Wednesday's semi-finals.

The first tie of the evening featured Connor Hunter (Prestwick St Nicholas) and the new Ayrshire Boy's Strokeplay Champion james McNeillie (west Kilbride), and resulted in a win for Connor Hunter by 2 & 1.

The second tie was between Jenson Fergusson (Royal Troon) and Mason Chisholm (Irvine). In a tie that was close throughout, it was no surprise when the players went to the eighteenth tee all square. In a tense finish, both players were caught out by the tricky final green at Prestwick, and eventually Mason Chisholm holed a tricky two foot put for a winning par four and victory by a single hole.

Third tie on the course saw Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit leader Finlay Watt (West Kilbride) against Harris Vennard (Ayr Belleisle), and it was Finlay watt who took control of the tie, eventually running out the winner by 5&4.

The final game on the course matched Archie Baker (Prestwick St Nicholas) and Oliver Kane (Royal Troon). As the players approached the closing loop of four holes, Archie was dormie four up, and although Oliver reduced the defecit by winning the fifteenth, Archie baker won the sixteenth to close out the match by 4&2.

In Wednesday evening's semi-finals, Connor Hunter plays Mason Chisholm and Finlay Watt faces Archie Baker.