Lindsay on song to lead the way at Birkdale

Scotland’s Ruben Lindsay enjoyed a productive opening day at the Amateur Championship to lead the 120 -strong field in stroke play qualifying.

The Ayr Belleisle 16 year old posted a four-under par round of 67 at Royal Birkdale.

Lindsay got off to a flyer with a birdie at the first hole and, although he dropped a stroke at the third, he enjoyed further birdies at the third and ninth.

An eagle 3 at the 15th hole and a birdie at the 17th further strengthen ed Lind - say’ s position before a bogey at the last. Dartford’s Mason Essam was a shot behind in second place.

The top 64 players and ties go through to the match play stage which begins today.

The other Scots to make it through include Balmore’s James Wilson (72), Castle Park’s Connor Wilson, The Irvine’s Stuart Easton (both 73), Kirkhill’s Lewis Irvine, Peebl es’ Darren Howie (both 74) and Charleton’s Andrew Davidson (75).

Five players finished under par to lead stroke play qualifying at the Women’s Amateur Championship at West Lancashire.

The English trio of Emily Price, Rosie Belsham and Isabel le Simpson were joined by Carolina Melgrati from Italy and Denmark’s Amalie Leth-nissen in signing for one -underpar rounds of 71.

From a star ting field of almost 100 competitors aged from 13 to 57, the quintet led the top 64 players into the match play stage.

Three players finished next best on level par–Ireland’ s Paul a Grant, Victoria Levy from Switzerland and Germany’s Paula Schulz-hanssen.

With stroke play qualifying reduced to one round after Tuesday’s rain, play was delayed a further hour yerterday morning due to strong winds.

North Berwick’ s Clara Young and Royal Troon’s Hazel Macgarvie were the leading Scots after rounds of 73. Broomieknowe’ s Hannah Darling (75), Milngavie’s Lo rn aM cclymont,Regul us’ Chloe Go ad by and Auch te rarder’s Penelope Brown (all 76) also qualified.