Amateur Championship update

Four Great Britain and Ireland players are in with a chance of winning the 117th Amateur Championship as the tournament enters the quarter-final stage at Royal Troon.

Scotland's Jack McDonald leads the home challenge, and is joined in the final eight by compatriot Paul Ferrier, 18-year-old Englishman Toby Tree and Irishman Alan Dunbar.

McDonald came through 42 holes on Thursday, needing 24 holes in the morning's third round to see off American Will McCurdy before beating Ireland's Rory McNamara by one hole in round four.

McDonald, who is studying mathematics at Stirling University, will take on Tree in the final eight. The man from Worthing will fancy his chances after a comprehensive 7&6 victory over Walker Cup player Rhys Pugh in round three and beating Tyler Raber - the last American in the draw - 2&1 in round four.

There is a lot riding on Tree, however, as no Englishman has won the Amateur Championship since Gary Wolstenholme's victory at Troon nine years ago.

Ferrier is through to the last eight after defeating Italian Lorenzo Scotto at the 19th hole in round four. He plays Australian Matthew Stieger - who defeated compatriot Daniel Nisbet in round four - in the quarter-finals.

Dunbar, who won two out of his three matches in the 2011 Walker Cup, defeated reigning Scottish Stroke Play champion Paul Barjon of France by two holes in round four. He takes on Sweden's Robert Karlsson, the highest ranked amateur left in the draw (23).

The last quarter final will be contested between Spaniard Jacobo Pastor and Austrain Mathias Schwab.

Quarter-final draw:

Jack McDonald (SCO) v. Toby Tree (ENG)

Paul Ferrier (SCO) v. Matthew Stieger (AUS)

Alan Dunbar (IRE) v. Robert Karlsson (SWE)

Jacobo Pastor (ESP) v. Matthias Schwab (AUT)