Michael Buttacavoli, who completed eligibility and graduated from Rice University last month, advanced to match play at the British Amateur Championship this week.

Buttacavoli shot an even par 142 over two qualifying rounds of stroke play held on Monday and Tuesday on the links of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. After firing a two-under par 69 at Berwick during Round 1 play, Buttacavoli shot a 73 at Muirfield on Tuesday.

The tournament has attracted one of the strongest international fields ever assembled as players from the United States, Europe, South Africa and Australasia are competing for an amateur championship which includes invitations to the 2010 British Open and the 2011 Masters Tournament.

Buttacavoli was one of just three golfers from the USA to qualify for match play. The top 64 scores plus ties from stroke play advanced to match play which began on Wednesday.

In Round 2 of match play, Buttacavoli lost to Alan Dunbar (Rathbone), 2 & 1.