Glasgow golfer Cameron Dunn reckons international service with Scotland last week can help aid his push for success on the home front after he surged into the last 32 of the Scottish Boys Championship at Murcar Links.

The 15-year-old Sandyhills member eased to a 4&2 win over Craigielaw’s Luke McKendry in the third round to set up a clash with Durham-based Matthew Watson.

Dunn, who won the Stephen Gallacher Foundation under-15s title last summer, was on Scotland duty in Northern Ireland and picked up four points from a possible six in the quadrangular series against Wales, Ireland and the Netherlands.

Dunn has continued that good matchplay form in the north east this week as the three-handicapper’s title tilt gathers momentum.

He said: “I had set myself a target of reaching the quarter-finals this week. The way I played with Scotland gave me that confidence and made me think it would be possible.”

Dunn had been one-up coming on to the back nine and was handed the 10th hole when his opponent duck hooked his drive before he won the 11th and 12th to race into a four-hole lead.

Coached by the former Scottish PGA champion David Orr, Dunn admits the input of the well-respected Glasgow pro has helped his game develop.

He added: “I’ve noticed a big change since I’ve been working with David. Everything about my game has gone up in standard and that’s because he is just a very good coach.”

It was a day of mixed fortunes for the local hopefuls in the field. Haggs Castle youngster Glen Burrett had been making impressive strides through the draw but he came a cropper against top seed Sandy Scott of Nairn who won the first eight holes of their tie as he romped to a 9&8 win.

Scott, the reigning Scottish Boys Strokeplay champ, said: “It was a mixture of Glen having a nightmare and me playing well. I know how good a player Glen is and he was one of the best players at Scotland under-14 level when we played together. It was just one of those off days for him.”

Glasgow’s John Paterson booked his place in the fourth round but had to battle all the way to the 17th before finally staving off the menacing advances of Portpatrick’s Matthew McCulloch. Paterson, who is a member at the New club in St Andrews, had been four-up at the turn and well in command but had to endure a nervy end as he edged through by a 2&1 margin.

Ranfurly’s Jamie Stewart, the No 3 seed, maintained his sturdy challenge with a 6&5 win over Cameron Fraser.