O’Donovan among early leaders at British Amateur Championship

Lucan golfer Richard O'Donovan was tied for the lead in the first round of qualifying for the British Amateur Championship this evening, after a two-under-par 70 on the Prince's Course in Kent.

O’Donovan was level par for his front nine after one birdie and a bogey, but carded birdies at 12 and 13 to come home in 34.

He will complete the 36-hole qualifying process over the Royal Cinque Ports layout tomorrow, teeing off at 7.22am.

Recently crowned Irish Amateur Close champion Cormac Sharvin opened with a level par 72.

The 20-year-old Ardglass golfer could have posted an even more impressive score.

Standing on the 17th tee he was three under for his round but a bogey on the penultimate hole and a double bogey on the last saw him sign for a 72.

There are 20 Irish amateurs hoping to qualify for the matchplay stages of a tournament won last year by Northern Ireland's Alan Dunbar.

Also at Prince's Reeve Whitson (Mourne) shot a 73, Robbie Cannon (Balbriggan), Chris Selfridge (Moyola Park)and Andrew Hogan (Newlands) each managed 76, Rory McNamara (Headfort) a 77, Matthew McAlpin (Royal Portrush) a 78 and Gary Hurley (West Waterford) a 79.

Over at Royal Cinque Ports, Rathsallagh's Jack Hume shot a superb level par 71, Richard Bridges (Stackstown) and Aaron Kearney (Castlerock) posted two over 73s, Portmarnock's James Fox had a 74 and Carton House's Shane McGlynn a 75.

Harry Diamond (Belvoir Park), Nicky Grant (Knock), Geoff Lenehan(Portmarnock) shot five-over-par 76s, while Brian Casey of Headfort and Dermot McElroy of Ballymena shot 78s.

There are 288 golfers vying for 64 places ahead of Wednesday’s matchplay.