Irish players progress at Amateur Championships

Disappointment for Cork golfers Jack Murphy and David Howard

Gavin Tiernan is tied for sixth after the second qualifying round of the Amateur Championship. Picture: Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images

Three Irish players have guaranteed their place in the knockout rounds of the Amateur Championship.

Gavin Tiernan (Co Louth) was best of the Irish qualifers, finishing tied for 6th on six under after the second round of strokeplay at Royal St George's and Royal Cinque Ports.

Joshua Hill (Galgorm Castle) tied for 21st on four under and recent Irish Amateur Open champion Stuart Grehan (Co Louth) tied for 35th at three under overall.

There were 24 players tied for 60th on 1 under after the two rounds, including Keith Egan (Carton House). They will return for a Wednesday morning play-off to decide the make up of the last 64.

The leading qualifier at The 130th Amateur Championship for the second time running was young Scotland star Connor Graham on nine-under.

Jack Murphy (Douglas) was among those disappointed to miss the cut. Murphy opened with a two-under 68 at Royal St George's, where Darren Clarke won the Open in 2011, but slumped to a six-over 78 at nearby Royal Cinque Ports to miss the cut.

Recent East of Ireland champion David Howard (Fota island) also missed out.