Six Scots pass Portrush test

Sally Watson led six Scots through to the match-play stages of the British Women's Open Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush links.

Backing up the Stanford University student from South Queensferry among the 64 qualifiers are Rachael Watton (Mortonhall), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) and Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle).

Pretswell, after bogeying the 16th and 18th for a five-over-par 79 and a two-round total of 156, made it by the skin of her teeth. She was the 62nd qualifier - and the Nos 63 and 64 came from the 10 players bunched on 157.

Biggest name among the Scots non-qualifiers was 2009 national champion Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), who finished on 159 after a 79 in the second round.

Watton slashed nine shots off her opening round with an impressive 70 for 149. MacDonald's 74 for 152 bizarrely earned her a re-match against Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale), who beat her in last year's final at Ganton.