Cutler makes last 32 in British Amateur

Portstewart’s Paul Cutler was the only Irish player to make it through to the last 32 of the British Amateur Championship at Hillside.

The reigning West of Ireland champion beat Victor Perez of France 5 and 4 courtesy of an outward half of 32  and will face Austria’s Philipp Fendt today for a place in the third round.

“I really found the flow after the birdies on two, three and five,” Cutler said. “I putted so well today, that was the difference. If I keep doing that, and keep swinging well, I should be fine.”

Cutler was one of six members of Great Britain and Ireland’s 2011 Walker Cup squad to make it safely through the first round

Tom Lewis, Michael Stewart, Andrew Sullivan, Oliver Farr and Alastair Jones are each five matches away from the place at Royal St George’s in The Open and the invitation to the Masters Tournament that await this week’s winner.

Walker Cup captain Nigel Edwards said: “It’s great to see six of the squad make it through to the last 32. GB&I players have had a lot of success in big amateur events, this year, and I hope that continues, this week.”

Malone’s Garth McGee lost on the 19th to Norway’s Joakim Mikkelsen while Portmarnock’s James Fox went down by 4 and 2 to New Zealander Landyn Edwards.