PAUL Dwyer may have his best chance ever next week of making an impact on the English Amateur Championship.

The 22-year-old Clitheroe player has avoided any of the top names in the opening round and many of the pre-tournament favourites have been placed in the opposite half of the draw.

Providing he has command over his putter, which has been the most erratic club in his bag all season, he insists he can go a long way.

"There's no-one I fear around me in the draw and I think I can make good progress," he said about the competition which begins on Monday and has a matchplay format.

Blackburn's Tony Jackson has perhaps the toughest draw in the first round, against former Amateur champion and Walker Cup stalwart Gary Wolstenholme.

But this year's Harold Ryden Trophy winner is cautiously confident of causing an upset.

"I think if I play to my strengths he won't have it too easy," said Jackson.

Damian Taylor of Accrington and District plays in the North Region Championship at Bolton Old Links tomorrow.

Chorley's Lora Fairclough returns to action today in the Guardian Irish Open at Citywest in Dublin.

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