19/06/12

Ferrier finished as joint-top Scot in qualifying

Six Scots tonight progressed to the match play stages of the 117th Amateur Championship over Royal Troon and Gailes Links, with 78 qualifiers in all.

Paul Ferrier (Baberton) and Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) led the Scottish qualifiers, with the pair both finishing in a tie for 15th after two rounds of stroke play.

Ferrier, the 2007 Scottish Boys’ champion who has recently finished a scholarship in the US, and Perthshire player Young both posted rounds of 69 and 73 for a level par total in Ayrshire.

Next best was Jack McDonald of Kilmarnock (Barassie), illustrating his links ability to post a one-over-total after rounds of 72 and 71.

Two members of the SGU National Men’s Squad also progressed, namely Lundin’s James White and Brian Soutar (Leven GS).

White, the Men’s Order of Merit winner last year, followed his brilliant opening 68 with a 75 but still shared 28th place with McDonald.

Soutar, who has match play pedigree this year after being crowned South African Amateur champion, tied for 39th on two-over.

The cut mark for the top 64 and ties for the match play stages fell at three-over-par, with Royal Burgess’ James Ross progressing on that mark.

Among the knockout ties tomorrow, Ferrier faces a tough test against leading Englishman Ben Stow, while Soutar is up against Aussie Jordan Zunic.

Daan Huizing, currently fifth in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, was among those to make it through. He returned rounds of 71 at Gailes Links to go with his opening 72 at Royal Troon to finish joint 28th of the 288 starters.

The Dutchman warmed up for The Amateur by winning the Lytham Trophy by 11 shots and the St Andrews Links Trophy by 14 shots. Huizing is keen to make it a British treble.

“I’ve been aiming to be ready for this for many months,” he said. “I realise how big it is and I’ve tried to be at my best. Hopefully I can win it.”

Other notables to qualify include WAGR number nine Julien Brun of France, 2011 Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup players Rhys Pugh and Alan Dunbar, former Boys Amateur champion Emilio Cuartero of Spain and European Amateur champion Manuel Trappel.

Play resumes at Royal Troon tomorrow at 7am with the preliminary match play stage.

>> Click here for completed second round scores and match play draw