Moure’s Reeve Whitson muscled his way into the match-play stage of the Australian Amateur championship in Melbourne.

Whitson posted a second qualifying round of 71 on the Woodlands course, and one of Melbourne’s famed ‘Sandbelt’ gems to grab 16th place in the top 64.

Joining Whitson was West Waterford’s Gary Hurley (75) and Muskerry’s Nial Gorey (76) who shared 52nd place.

The only Irish casualty was Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy who added a 78 to his opening 82 and finish in a tie for 131st place.

Australia’s Cameron Smith earned the distinction of finishing leading qualifier with scores of 73 and 68 for a three under par tally.

Whitson will now tackle England’s Ashley Chesters in the opening match-play round while Hurley will come up against Australia’s Anthony Houston.

Gorley’s first match is against 13th qualifier, Blair Riordan of New Zealand.

After playing the qualifying rounds at Huntingdale and Woodlands, all players will be  competing back on the Woodlands course and face five match-play encounters over the next four days if they are to reach Sunday’s final.