Marc Warren’s fine form at the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay continued into the third round as he saw off Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts, the former Ryder Cup golfer who has a fine track record in this format, on Murcar’s 17th green.

There was a more nervous finish for the most local of the contenders as Richie Ramsay, who grew up playing on neighbouring Royal Aberdeen, was brought back to level when Morten Orum Madsen birdied the 17th, but he holed a 12 footer for a birdie at the last to earn his place in the quarter-final after the Dane’s putt from 30 feet shaved the hole.

They are the last two Scots in the field after Chris Doak was beaten 2&1 by England’s two-time Ryder Cup player David Howell.