Gidney aim is good turn

Shropshire’s leading amateur golfer was today facing ‘make-or-break’ time at the British Amateur Championships at Turnberry.

Jonathan Gidney, of Church Stretton, fired an opening round two-over-par 74 on the Kintyre course yesterday to lie 80th in the 288-elite field competing for the prestigious title - and a place in this year’s Open and the 2009 US Masters.

Welsh Youth Open champion Gidney was in action on the Ailsa course this afternoon, knowing he needed to climb into the top 64 to qualify for the matchplay stages which start tomorrow.

Llanymynech’s Mark Trow’s hopes appeared to be fading after an opening round 78 on the Ailsa.

Sweden’s Jesper Kennegard shot the lowest opening day score of 66.