Rice best of the Irish in amateur

Germany dominated yesterday's British Amateur Championship first qualifying round.

Michael Thannhauser (22), from Hamburg, lowered the course record to a six-under-par 66 at Wallasey, and his compatriot Marcel Siem was joint pace-setter at Royal Liverpool with a 68.

But neither player was allowed to hog all the glory. Australian Andrew Webster matched Thannhauser's mark and American Chris Mundorf also posted a four-under-par 68 for a share of the lead at Hoylake.

Best of the Irish were Limerick's Tim Rice and Andrew McCormick of Scrabo, who recorded 68 and 69 respectively at Wallasey.

The leading 64 qualifiers will go into matchplay at Royal Liverpool tomorrow.