Euan McIntosh during Wednesday play
(Scottish Golf/Kenny Smith Photo)

Experience will meet youth when three-time club champion Steven Buchan, 38, faces off against Fintan McKenna, 18, with both one handicappers drawing on their local knowledge to reach the last-32.

Buchan fired a 7-iron to two feet at the 17th to secure a 2&1 win over former Scotland Boys cap George Burns and reach the fifth round for the first time. McKenna, meantime, just edged out new Scotland Boys Home Internationals cap Ben Ferguson by the same margin over the Balgownie Links.

“Local knowledge is definitely an asset,” said Buchan, who only met McKenna for the first time at the second tee today. “I’ve been a member here since I was 10 and it’s all about hitting it on fairways and greens. That is easy to say but hard to do. I’ve played guys putting it 50 yards past me, but I’ve just focused on hitting it straight.

McKenna is only playing in the event after Grant Forrest pulled out, but he has taken his chance. Having shot a course record 62 in the Scottish Boys Open Stroke Play at Royal Burgess last year, the local lad has found his form again.

“It’s the toughest I’ve ever seen the course, and managing your ball off the tee is crucial,” said McKenna, who worked as a marshal when the venue hosted the 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. “Coming into the event from fourth reserve I knew I didn’t need to play many practice rounds.”

After a lack of surprise results over the opening rounds, there were some upsets on day three. Matthew Clark, Calum Fyfe and Liam Johnston, all in Scotland’s Men’s Home Internationals side at Nairn next month, all exited, as did the reigning Scottish Boys champion Eric McIntosh.

The South African Amateur champion Craig Ross also lost out, beaten by Nairn’s Andrew Burgess 3&1, while the fifth seed also fell as Tantallon’s Calum Hill claimed an impressive 6&4 victory over another Scotland international, Jamie Savage.

McKenna is only playing in the event after Grant Forrest pulled out, but he has taken his chance. Having shot a course record 62 in the Scottish Boys Open Stroke Play at Royal Burgess last year, the local lad has found his form again.

“It’s the toughest I’ve ever seen the course, and managing your ball off the tee is crucial,” said McKenna, who worked as a marshal when the venue hosted the 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. “Coming into the event from fourth reserve I knew I didn’t need to play many practice rounds.”

After a lack of surprise results over the opening rounds, there were some upsets on day three. Matthew Clark, Calum Fyfe and Liam Johnston, all in Scotland’s Men’s Home Internationals side at Nairn next month, all exited, as did the reigning Scottish Boys champion Eric McIntosh.

The South African Amateur champion Craig Ross also lost out, beaten by Nairn’s Andrew Burgess 3&1, while the fifth seed also fell as Tantallon’s Calum Hill claimed an impressive 6&4 victory over another Scotland international, Jamie Savage.

Burgess, 21, said: “It’s a good scalp for me, and I felt I played really good golf. I knew I had nothing to lose so just wanted to give it a good run which I did.”

However, former pros Barry Hume, 34, and Euan McIntosh, 47, used their experience to negotiate paths to the last-32, both doing enough to progress.

McIntosh was four up with four to go, but was relieved to hole a 30 feet putt and finally see off his opponent, Mount Ellen’s Eamon Bradley, at the 17th. “I’m struggling a bit and experience has won me the last three games,” said the Turnhouse player, coached by 1986 Scottish Amateur winner Colin Brooks.

Of the leading two seeds, Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten) and Connor Syme (Drumoig), both progressed with something to spare, while Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson continued his form with a 7&6 triumph against another Royal Aberdeen player, Craig Leith. Nairn teenager Sandy Scott also continued his run to win through.

Australian Amateur champion Syme fired four birdies in a row from the 10th, making seven in total against Muckhart’s Robert Watson, and said: “I feel good. I’ve got a game plan this week and I’m trying to stick to it.”

The last-32 and last-16 ties are all played at Royal Aberdeen on Thursday with entry free for all spectators.