Robert Cannon, already the winner of the Silver Medal as leading qualifier, reached round three of the AIG Irish Amateur Close Championship at Tramore yesterday with two contrasting victories.

The 22-year-old Balbriggan star had to pull out all the stops to see off the spirited challenge of Simon Bryan from Delgany on the home green after a nip and tuck battle in the opening round.

But then he proved far too hot for Dundalk's Aaron Grant who had earlier put out the experienced Portmarnock man James Fox. Cannon swept to a 5&4 success.

County Louth teenager Thomas Mulligan is having a week to remember. He equalled the Tramore course record on his way to the second qualifying spot and recorded two excellent wins to move into the third round.

First Mulligan saw off Ronan Twomey 4&3 and then knocked out Stephen Healy 3&2 and this morning clashes with Pierse for a quarter-final spot.

Ardee's Eugene Smith was three down after 15 holes in his second round match against Stuart Grehan but then won the 16th, 17th and 18th to force the game into sudden-death- and he prevailed at the 20th to book a clash with Cannon.

Strokeplay title

Geoff Lenehan, Galgorm Castle’s

Jordan Hood

, Robbie Pierse and

Robin Dawson

all also progressed.

In Leeds, Olivia Mehaffey kept alive her chances of a fourth major strokeplay title this year as she stayed in touch with the leaders in the British Ladies Open championship at Moortown yesterday.

The 17-year-old from Royal County Down is four adrift after a one over par 75 for a 36-hole total of 148-level par.