McAuley and Price head qualifiers

Matchplay stages begin on Tuesday

Island Games gold medal winner Alex McAuley was the leading qualifier in the 2017 Grant Thornton Isle of Man Golf Championship at Ramsey.

Over the weekend, he posted a gross score of 142 over 36 holes to top the leaderboard.

The Mount Murray player finished two clear of Andrew Challenor with Peter Glover and Andrew Noon a further shot adrift.

Defending champion, five-times winner Paul Lowey, recorded a 148, eight over par.

Shirley Price was the leading qualifier, two shots ahead of Lynda Simpson with reigning women’s champion Breeshey Jansen and Kayleigh Dawson completing the top four.

Attention now turns to the men’s matchplay last 16 tomorrow evening (Tuesday) and the women’s quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Men’s matchplay last 16 (Tuesday, July 18):

Paul Lowey v Stephen Skillicorn (4.30pm)

Rob Noon v Kevin Moore (4.40pm)

Lee Morgan v Mark Pugh (4.50pm)

Jonathan Corke v Andrew Challenor (5pm)

Peter Glover v Tom Harris (5.10pm)

Daniel Bell v Daryl Callister (5.20pm)

Danny Foulis v Philip Christian (5.30pm)

Tom Gandy v Alex McAuley (5.40pm).

Ladies’ championship quarter-finals on Wednesday:

Shirley Price v Jane Gaines (5.10pm)

Kayleigh Dawson v Joy Morris (5.20pm)

Lynda Simpson v Ruth Pigott (5.30pm)

Breeshey Jansen v Catherine Cassidy (5.40pm).