Newlands's Bryan Omelia was forced to the first extra hole to qualify for the last 32 of the British Amateur Championship at Muirfield yesterday. Omelia, a former Irish youths' champion and the second best qualifier, eventually saw off American Steve Sheehan, brother of former US Women's Open champion Patty Sheehan, at the 19th.
However, it wasn't so good for Milltown's Jody Fanagan who was beaten two and one and failed to advance beyond the second round.
Spanish teenager Sergio Garcia continued his impressive showing when he cruised into the last 32.
The 18-year-old, widely regarded as natural successor to Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal, had little difficulty in dispatching Frenchman Sebastien Branger 7 and 5, covering the 13 holes in three under par in a one-sided contest.
Two ahead after eight holes, the reigning British Boys' champion quickly powered into overdrive, taking five successive holes from the ninth with three pars and a birdie to close out the match.
Garcia, the youngest player to compete in the modern-day Open Championship when he played at Royal Lytham in 1996 aged 16, revealed he would only play this year at Royal Birkdale if he qualified by winning this week.
North Hants 17-year-old Justin Rose, the youngest player to compete in the Walker Cup last August, was beaten on the last green by James Bunch, a 23-yearold Scot from St Andrews, who studies at North Carolina State University.
Elsewhere, there was a safe passage for leading qualifier Mark Hilton of the East Sussex National club, who beat Hinckley's Jason Powell by two holes.
