THE omens could be good for Oban’s Robert MacIntrye in the Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s.

While the Scottish contingent on the south east coast was chopped from eight to just three during the opening series of matchplay encounters yesterday, MacIntyre, the runner-up in the unpaid game’s flagship a year ago at Porthcawl, ploughed on with a brace of wins as the left-hander’s title tilt gathered early momentum.

Twenty years ago at St George’s, Scotsman Craig Watson finished as one of the last qualifiers but went on to win the title. 

MacIntyre also squeezed through the strokeplay phase on the cut mark on Tuesday and is now off-and-running in the knock-out stages. 

In this format, it doesn’t matter how you get the cork out of the bottle. MacIntyre eased past China’s Zheng Kai Bai by 3and1 in the morning before sweeping to a 3 and 2 win over the talented Australian, Ben Ferguson, in the afternoon’s second round ties.

He will be joined in the third round by the former Scottish Boys’ champion, Craig Howie, who powered to a 4 and 2 victory over Zan Luka Stirn. 

Anglo-Scot Ryan Lumsden, was another opening-day winner as he recorded an excellent 5 and 3 victory over GB&I squad member Robin Dawson but the rest of the tartan army were shot down.

Connor Syme, the Walker Cup hopeful, was the most notable casualty as he lost by one hole to Englishman David Langley.

Sandy Scott, Euan Walker, Craig Ross and Chris Maclean also departed.