Lee-on-the-Solent's James Ablett, pictured right, led the qualifiers for the ERIF UK Hampshire PGA Matchplay Championship after firing a five-under-par round of 66 at Marriott Meon Valley Hotel & Country Club on Thursday.

South Winchester's Jon Barnes (69) took second, with Hedge End Golf Centre's Roger Tuddenham (70) third.

A thunderstorm meant that a sudden-death play-off to decide the final three qualifiers had to be delayed until a future date. One of the seven sudden-death hopefuls was Simon Tillson (Dibden Golf Centre), who holed his tee shot at the 202-yard 14th.