LOCAL maths student Jack McDonald got his numbers right to make sure he gained pass marks in the final qualifying round of the Amateur Championship.

The Ayrshire ace fired a level-par 71 at Glasgow Gailes for a one-over 143 to progress to the matchplay stages of the contest at Royal Troon.

Barassie youngster McDonald reckons his golf has suffered due to the fact that he has been buried in the books for his Stirling University exams.

But the former Scottish Boys' Strokeplay champ is still hoping he can be top of the class this week.

McDonald said: "My season has been a bit up and down. It started very well when I won the British Universities championship back in March, but since then I've struggled a bit due to exams.

"I definitely feel I'm getting back into the golf again now, though, and I'm going to stick to my game plan and just go for it in the matchplay."

Balmore's Fraser McKenna, who reached the final of the British Boys' Amateur Championship in 2009, failed to make the qualifying grade on 146 after a 73 at Royal Troon.

Kilmacolm's Matthew Clark departed on 147, while Mount Ellen kid Eamon Bradley, who was in a good position after an opening 72 at Gailes, slipped to a 76 at Troon and missed the cut on 148.

Kirkhill's Paul Shields crashed to an 81 and exited early on a 155. The 21-year-old Scotland cap had been one-under through four, but leaked eight shots over the next seven holes in a disastrous run.

At the head of the field, Sweden's Daniel Jennevret took centre stage as he blasted a new amateur course record 65 at Royal Troon to claim the No.1 qualifying position.

The 22-year-old kick-started a sparkling round with a 40-foot putt for birdie on the third, the first of four in a row, en route to a fine six-under score.

He said: "I've not played in this championship or at Troon before, so under the pressure of qualifying, that has to be one of my best-ever rounds."

Edinburgh's Paul Ferrier and Danny Young of Perth led the Scottish challenge on 142. But only a small battalion of six players from an original tartan army of 29 survived the cut.