Shropshire golfer Oliver Farr in British Amateur champion bid

Shropshire golfer Oliver Farr was today bidding to continue his quest to become the British Amateur champion.

Ludlow ace Farr was up against Germany's Stephan Jaeger in the second round of the matchplay event at Muirfield in Scotland this afternoon.

He qualified for the matchplay stages after securing a place among the top 64 and ties in the initial strokeplay phase yesterday.

The Welsh international had looked in trouble after the first round on Monday, his three-over par 74 at Muirfield leaving him tied for 145 in the 288-man field.

But he turned it around yesterday, his three-under 68 at North Berwick lifting him into a tie for 45th and keeping him in he hunt to book a place at this year's Open Championship and next year's US Masters.

Farr birdied the 18th to complete his round and make sure he wasn't involved in the first round elimination to bring the field down to 64.

A win over Jaeger would see Farr into the last 32. The quarter-finals and semi-finals are on Friday, with the final on Saturday.

It was on this stage that Spanish star Sergio Garcia announced himself to the world back in 1998, while reigning champion, 16-year-old Matteo Manassero of Italy, made the cut at Augusta earlier in the year.

By CHRIS HUDSON