Paul Lowey led the way in the qualifying rounds of this year’s Grant Thornton Isle of Man Closed Championships at Rowany Golf Club over the weekend.

The event got underway early on Saturday morning but play was briefly suspended after heavy mist caused visibility issues across the Port Erin course.

Once play resumed, it was Lowey and Daryl Callister who led the way after recording opening rounds of 68, closely following by Mark Sutton on 69.

The second round on Sunday again saw home player Lowey and Callister deadlocked on 71 - a score matched by Pugh - as it was four-time champion Lowey that took the honours as leading qualifier on countback after both had totalled 139.

Pugh completed the top three a shot back, while Jamie Arniel, Jack Gilbert, Liam Cowin, Kevin Moore, Jonathan Corke, Mark Pugh, Stephen Skillicorn, Lee Morgan, Peter Glover, Keith Ward, Joe Raeside, Chad Wilby and Richard Skillicorn completed the top 16 who all qualified for Tuesday evening’s matchplay stages.

In the women’s event, Castletown’s Catherine Cassidy was the early leader after posting an opening round of 79, which was two shots ahead Shirley Price and three in front of defending champion Breeshey Jansen who is searching for her fourth title in a row.

Jansen enjoyed the best second round with her effort of 81 but Cassidy’s 82 ensured she finished with a two-round score of 161 to top qualifying.

Jansen’s second round score ensured she pipped Price on countback for second place on 163, while next best was Lindsey Tickell with 174 one shot ahead of Irene Waterhouse.

Completing the eight qualifiers for Wednesday’s quarter-finals were Heather Skinner, Joy Platt and Lynda Jackson.

Full reports, results and photographs in today’s Isle of Man Examiner.

Tuesday, July 17

Men’s last-16, 18-hole matchplay

4.30pm Paul Lowey v Joe Raeside

4.40pm Liam Cowin v Jonathon Corke

4.50pm Mark Pugh v Steve Skillicorn

5pm Chad Wilby v Jamie Arneil

5.10pm Mark Sutton v Peter Glover

5.20pm Jack Gilbert v Lee Morgan

5.30pm Kevin Moore v Richard Skillicorn

5.40pm Keith Ward v Daryl Callister

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Wednesday, July 18

Women’s quarter-finals 18-hole matchplay

4.30pm Catherine Cassidy v Lynda Jackson

4.40pm Shirley Price v Heather Skinner

4.50pm Lindsey Tickell v Irene Waterhouse

5pm Breeshey Jansen v Joy Platt

Action from the men’s and women’s matchplay in Thursday’s Manx Independent and Friday’s Isle of Man Courier respectively.