Defending champion Angus Carrick tops Scottish Amateur qualifying

Defending champion Angus Carrick led the qualifiers for the match-play phase of the Scottish Amateur after producing two polished performances on the Ayrshire coast.

Craigielaw's Angus Carrick pictured after winning last year's Scottish Amateur Championship at Murcar Links. Picture: Scottish Golf

The Craigielaw player followed his opening four-under 67 at Western Gailes with a three-under 68 at neighbouring Gailes Links.

He picked up four birdies in first five holes in the second circuit and moved to five-under for the day after 14 holes before running up a double-bogey 6 at the 16th.

In the battle for 64 spots, Carrick won the stroke-play qualifying by a shot from Aldeburgh’s Gregor Tait, who also signed for a 68 at Gailes Links after opening with the same score at Western Gailes.

Kirkhill’s Lewis Ivine, the beaten finalist at Crail in 2019, finished third on five-under after shooting scores of 69-68 but the other way round to Carrick and Tait.

Crail’s Andrew Davidson, who caddied for Laird Shepherd in The Masters earlier in the year, also qualified comfortably.

He finished on three-under along with newly-crowned Lothians champion Connor Wilson (Castle Park) and Dunbar’s Jamie Duguid.

The best effort of the second round was produced by Blairgowrie’s Gregor Graham, who signed for a six-under 65 at Gailes Links.

That secured him a comfortable qualifying position and he progressed along with his younger brother and recent R&A Junior Open winner, Connor.

Williamwood’s George Burns, the winner three years ago, is also safely through, as is experienced campaigner Matt Clark (Meldrum House).

South African Amateur finalist Rory Franssen failed to pass the qualifying test on this occasion, with Scottish Boys’ champion Fraser Laird also missing out along with Tennant Cup winner Jack McDonald.