LIAM Ball took a step nearer retaining his Bolton Championship title on Saturday when he tamed the tough Breightmet course with two scintillating rounds over the 36-hole qualifier with scores of 72 and 69, a 141 total, three shots clear of the field.

The 22-year-old from Old Links was in fine form and a first round of level par was only matched by three fellow competitors, but a three under par in the afternoon put him out in front.

Ball now meets Gareth Hastie, a veteran of the Bolton championship, in the quarterfinals tomorrow when the tournament breaks into match play format.

Hastie missed out last year but has been a regular qualifier and won the championship in consecutive years in 2006 and 2007, a feat which Ball aims to emulate. Although the Dunscar member only made the quarters by the narrowest of margins, the experienced campaigner is sure to be a match for young Ball.

Karl Bowker of Harwood made a return to the knockout stages of the championship with two excellent rounds of par golf under some discomfort.

The 51-year-old has recently been diagnosed with arthritis and ventured on the tee with a well-strapped left hand and wrist.

He said: “Thirty six holes are a little difficult for me, particularly on a tough course, but I am very pleased with my performance.”

Bowker meets one of three Dunscar qualifiers – Andy Taylor – who will be looking to break into the semi-finals.

Business commitments have reduced Taylor’s participation in recent years but he is keen to get back on the winning trail.

The quarter-finals bring some spice to the Breightmet arena with two of Chorley’s top players – Tom Stuart and Andy Palmer – going head to head.

The big hitting Palmer was disappointed with his first round of 75 caused by dropping shots on all four of the par threes but in the afternoon he picked up two birdies finishing with a 70 – two under par.

Meanwhile, Dunscar’s Adam Whalley, who has appeared in the Bolton Championship for nearly 20 years and qualified several times, found his form with two 73s to finish in fourth place. Whalley meets Matt Buckley of Old Links who looked out of the championship race with a morning round of 77 but stormed back with 71, just two behind Whalley.

Tomorrow’s quarter-finals at Breightmet start at 4.50pm.

Leading qualifiers Liam Ball (Old Links) . . . . . . . .141 Karl Bowker (Harwood) . . . . . .144 Andy Palmer (Chorley) . . . . . .145 Adam Whalley (Dunscar) . . . .146 Matt Buckley (Old Links) . . . . .148 Tom Stuart (Chorley) . . . . . . . .148 Andy Taylor (Dunscar) . . . . . .148 Gareth Hastie (Dunscar) . . . . .148