British Amateur: NI hopefuls Selfridge and Sharvin both exit

Cormac Sharvin was the last Northern Irish hope in the British Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush

Northern Irish interest in the British Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush ended on Friday when both Chris Selfridge and Cormac Sharvin exited.

Moyola Park's Selfridge was beaten 3&2 by England's Toby Tree in the last-32 stage of the fog-affected event.

Cormac Sharvin beat Denmark's Victor Fasmer Henum 5&4 in his second-round game but was then beaten 4&3 by England's Paul Howard in the last 16.

Faithlegg's Robin Dawson also bowed out in the last 16 to end Irish hopes.

Dawson, last year's Irish Boys Champion, defeated Portugal's Joao Carlota 2&1 on Friday morning but was edged out by Scotland's Connor Syme by one hole later in the day.

English players Daniel Brown and Sean Towndrow have secured places in the quarter-finals.

Leading qualifier Brown defeated Welshman Rhys Pugh 3&2 on Friday afternoon while Towndrow edged out his compatriot Toby Tree 2&1.

The tournament will continue at Royal Portrush until Sunday.

The event had been scheduled to finish on Saturday but the Royal and Ancient were forced to reschedule the programme because heavy fog heavily curtailed play on Tuesday.

Seven Northern Ireland competitors teed up on Monday, with Sharvin and Selfridge the only two to progress to the matchplay stage.

The 119th playing of the tournament has attracted an international field, including players from as far afield as South America and New Zealand.

The 16 second-round matches and eight third-round ties will be staged on Friday, with the quarter-finals and semi-finals on Saturday and the 36-hole final on Sunday.