IRISH interest in the British Amateur Championship at Royal St George's in Kent came to a disappointing end yesterday with defeats for both Peter Lawrie and Jody Fanagan.

They made contrasting exits in the second round, having been given byes through the first round yesterday morning.

Lawrie, a student at UCD and the reigning Irish champion, was comprehensively beaten 5 and 3 by fellow Walker Cup squad member Matthew Blackey. The England international from Hampshire was always in control, going two up at the turn before closing out the match at the 15th.

Fanagan surrendered a match-winning lead before losing at the second extra hole to Steve Sheehan, a 43-year-old from Reno in Nevada and brother of former US and British Women's Open champion Patty.

Fanagan was three ahead with three to play, but allowed Sheehan back into the match, and his luck finally ran out when he overhit his chip from the side of the second green.

The other major shock of the tournament so far was the defeat of Walker Cup certainty Graham Rankin, the Scottish international who has been in outstanding form this season. Rankin was also beaten at the 20th by Shaun Philipson.

Rankin had fought back from four down after seven to lead by one on the 18th tee, but Philipson hit a five-iron at the 20th that started off well left of the flag, but circled round a "wall of death" at the back of the green and stopped a foot away.