TURNBERRY, Scotland (PA) -- Sam Hutsby plotted his way round the testing Ailsa Course at a stormy Turnberry Resort on Thusday to set the pace in the British Amateur.

In torrid conditions on the Ayrshire coast that sent scores soaring -- American Cole Willis took 20 shots to play the 12th and 17th in a ghastly 87 -- Hutsby battled against the wind and rain to emerge with a 1-over 71 for a 3-under aggregate of 139 in the two-day, 36-hole stroke-play qualifying portion of the tournament.

Hutsby, whose round included two birdies and three bogeys, now heads into the match-play stages in purposeful mood, and the GB&I elite squad member was swift to credit his success to play for position from the tee with an iron rather than blasting away with a driver.

"My playing partners used their drivers and often found a fairway bunker, so I was quite happy to lose a bit of distance in favor of safety with a long iron," said the 19-year-old Englishman. "The bunkers are well-positioned round here and if you can stay out of them, then that is half the battle."

Irish Walker Cup player Jonathan Caldwell posted a neatly assembled 71 for a 2-under 140, but defending champion Drew Weaver of Virginia Tech was the main casualty as he missed the qualifying mark on 153.

Caldwell, 23, who helped Ireland win the European Team Championship title at Western Gailes last summer, made an early move with a 35-foot uphill putt for birdie at the sixth, and he found another at the ninth to reach the turn in 33.

As the wind strengthened, Caldwell fought against the elements on the inward half and despite spilling a trio of shots at 12, 13 and 17, the South Alabama University graduate was more than content with his effort over the course that will stage next year's British Open.

"Given the conditions, I would have gladly taken a 71 at the start of the day," said Caldwell, a member of the 2007 GB&I Walker Cup team. "The main aim is to qualify for the match play and now that I've got the first job out of the way I can prepare myself for the next stage."

Weaver, who claimed an emotional win at Royal Lytham last season barely two months after emerging unscathed from the horror of the Virginia Tech massacre, struggled to a 78 Tuesday as the defense of his crown came to a premature end.

"It's a long way to come for two rounds, but I knew it would be hard as this is one of the toughest titles to defend," lamented Weaver, whose round included two double bogeys and a triple bogey.

English veteran Gary Wolstenholme, the British Amateur champion in 1991 and 2003 who played in the U.S. Open last week, also made an early exit after a second consecutive 77 gave him a 154.

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