Sean Doyle and Max Kennedy will fly the flag for Ireland after the pair got through their last-64 encounters at the 93rd Boys’ Amateur Championship at Saunton.
Black Bush’s Doyle will face off against Archie Davies after needing 20 holes to defeat Javier Neira Garcia of Spain.
The Welsh player, who was tied second in the stroke play qualifying, reached Friday’s second round after forcing Spaniard Alvaro Morales Aparicio into extra holes. The door opened for the Welsh Amateur Champion on the 18th hole when his opponent missed a 5ft putt. Davies then went on to make a birdie on the 20th hole to seal the win.
Meanwhile Royal Dublin’s Kennedy saw off England’s William Skipp 2&1 to book a morning tee-time against Norweigian Alex Settemsdal who comfortably beat England’s John Richardson 3&2 in their match-up.
Elsewhere, leading qualifier Connor McKinney is through to the last-32 of match play after the Australian-based Scot, defeated England’s Billy Groom 6&4. It was a convincing victory for McKinney who said it was important to limit mistakes in windy conditions with birdie opportunities hard to come by on the East Course.
The 17-year-old will now play Matthew Jackman, who claimed a win over Frenchman Charles Larcelet. Jackman, who was down by three with five holes to play, fought back to take the match to extra holes, eventually winning with a birdie on the 20th.
Frenchman Tom Gueant, who led qualifying after the first round, recorded a convincing 5&4 victory over England’s Oscar Doran. After a challenging finish yesterday, where he dropped six shots in his closing seven holes, Gueant was determined to come out firing in his first round match. He was five up after six holes and never looked seriously threatened.
Gueant will face another Englishman tomorrow when he takes on Dominic Clemons who advanced after defeating Italy’s Simone Armando Colozza 5&3.
Having elected to skip the US Amateur Championship to compete in his final R&A Boys Amateur Championship, Joseph Pagdin, the highest-ranked player in the field was relieved to advance to Friday’s match play rounds.
After 18 holes the Englishman was All Square with Sweden’s Rasmus Hjelm. Chipping out of the thick rough on the par-5 2nd, the 20th hole of the match, Pagdin made a clutch up and down birdie to move into the second round.
The Englishman will now play compatriot Harry Crockett, who defeated France’s Nathan Trey on the 19th hole.
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