Emma Duggleby has been handed a surprise boost in her bid to claim the Women's British Open amateur golf crown at Ladybank in Fife.

Her main rival for the title, Wheatley's Rebecca Hudson, who beat Duggleby in last year's final and last week's English Open final, suffered a shock exit in the second round yesterday.

She was beaten 2 and 1 by 21-year-old Scottish champion Linzi Morton.

Duggleby, a member of the Malton and Norton club, beat Claire Coughlan from Cork 4 and 3 in the first round then defeated Fany Schaeffer of France by one hole to progress to round three.

Curtis Cup team-mates Hudson and Duggleby had reached the match play stages after finishing first and second respectively in qualifying.

Knaresborough's Sara Garbutt was another qualifier but she was knocked out in the second round.

After beating Italy's Claire Crignolo 5 and 3, she lost at the 19th to Claire Hargan of Cardross in round two.

York professional Kirsty Taylor followed a first round 72 with a four over par 76 in the Evian Masters tournament at Evians-les-Bains, France.

Sweden's Maria Hjorth was in the lead on ten under 134. There is no cut in the select field of 78 players so they will all finish with some prize money in the £1.3m event, the second richest in women's golf behind the US Open.

Updated: 09:10 Friday, June 15, 2001