Golf: Thain qualifies at Barassie

West Linton teenager Fraser Thain is flying the local flag in the Boys' Amateur championship at Barassie.

Thain, runner-up in last year's Scottish under-16 championship, grabbed one of the 64 matchplay spots up for grabs in the final round of qualifying yesterday.

Thain, who opened with a level-par 73 on Tuesday at Barassie, signed off from his 36-hole strokeplay campaign with an eight-over 80 on the tough Dundonald Links but his 153 aggregate was still good enough for a place in the knock-out stages.

Thain, who was set to face Michael Decker of the United States in round one today, was one of only five Scots to make it through on a day when a host of other Lothians hopefuls departed early.

Craigielaw's Scottish Boys' champ Grant Forrest saw his hopes of adding the British title to his collection dashed with an 81 at Barassie as he missed out with a 159.

Forrest's Craigielaw clubmate Gregor Smail also failed to make the grade on the 159 mark while Lothians Boys' champion Simon Fairburn exited on a 163.

Glasgow's Conor O'Neil led the Scots in a share of second while Ewan Scott of St Andrews and Dumfriesshire duo Liam Johnston and Scott Gibson also progressed.