Galway teenager Mark O'Sullivan stormed into the second round of the British Boys Open Amateur Golf Championship at Royal St David's, Harlech, yesterday with one of the most impressive victories of the day.

The 18-year-old playing in the Championship for the third, and final, time has every reason to smile after romping home 6 and 5 against Aaron Gentle. "I played really well today and am delighted," he said.

O'Sullivan lost only one hole - the third - when he made a mess of it and took a double bogey six. But his response was swift and decisive as he then won four holes in a row to take total command and is looking forward to his second round match this morning against Jeff Evans from Wales.

In an all Irish affair, 17-year-old Ian Stafford proved too strong for Mervyn Owen and triumphed by 4 and 2. He now faces a tough opponent in Portugese player Nuno Andre.

Dunmurry's Darren Crowe and Connor Doran from Banbridge kept the Northern Ireland flag flying by moving into round two.