James Byrne exits Amateur with double-bogey at last hole

A YEAR after contesting the final of the Amateur Championship, James Byrne was left cursing a calamitous double-bogey on his last hole as he failed to qualify for the matchplay stages of this week's event at Hesketh last night.

While Greg Paterson led a small posse of five home hopefuls into the knock-out phase, Byrne, the highest Scot on the world rankings at No 24, racked up a six on the 18th hole in a one-under 70 and fell one shot short of the cut mark on a five-over 148.

Byrne, feeling the effects of a virus, had thrust himself into the qualifying places by covering 17 holes of his second round in three-under but a pulled approach on the last plunged into heavy rough and a costly penalty drop led to his demise.

"I felt terrible when I woke up but I battled away well and I really should've been five or six under before the 18th and then there would've been no doubts," lamented the Scot.

As Byrne departed, Paterson, with a steady stream of 28 pars during his "boring" 36-hole qualifying campaign, closed with a one-under 70 at Hesketh for his one-under 142 tally to progress with ease.

Michael Stewart coasted into the knock-out stages with a one-over 72 at Hesketh for a one-over 144. Having underlined his matchplay prowess with victory in both the Scottish championship last season and March's South African Open, the 22-year-old is relishing the prospect of another title assault in the one-on-one format, particularly with the added incentive of a place in July's Open and next year's Masters for the eventual champion this week.

"There's something about matchplay for me," said the Troon Welbeck youngster. "I've got the grit and I never give in. Even if I'm down I still think I'm going to win. This and the US Amateur are the biggest tournaments of the year for us. If you win this it could be life changing."

Mark Bookless from Sandyhills posted a 71 at Hesketh to qualify on 144, while Fraserburgh's Kris Nicol had a one-under 70 to progress on 146.

Pollok teenager Conor O'Neil, making his debut in the championship, picked up a birdie on his final hole in a level-par 72 at Hillside to confirm his place in the knock-out rounds on a 147.

On a dispiriting day for a host of Scotland elite squad members, Peterhead's Philip McLean jarred his wrist playing a shot on the 15th and then spilled six shots in his last four holes in a damaging 78 to miss out by a shot on 148. Ross Kellett, James White, David Law, Jordan Findlay and Paul Shields also failed to make the qualifying grade.

At the head of the standings, Leicester teenager Gregory Eason claimed the No 1 qualifying spot on 139 after a 68.