Emily Toy (R&A photo)

The 22-year-old, who claimed victory at Royal County Down last year, is aiming to become the first player since Sweden’s Louise Stahle in 2005 to retain the championship.

But her defense was on a knife's edge in the stroke play qualifier. After bad weather reduced qualifying to 18 holes, Toy struggled to a 78 and only progressed to match play via scorecard playoff.

Toy saw off the challenge of fellow Englishwoman Isabelle Simpson with a one-hole win in the morning before following it up with a comfortable 5&4 triumph over Ireland’s Jessica Ross.

Emily Price, who won the English Women’s Amateur Championship earlier this month and was among the leading stroke play qualifiers, is also still alive, beating Hulda Clara Gestsdottir from Iceland 2&1 to reach the last-16.

The day started with an emotional contest between sisters that went to the final hole.

Denmark’s Amalie Leth-Nissen – who was the leading qualifier on card countback – lost out to her older sister, Cecilie. It was a notable triumph, given Cecilie is ranked 765th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking compared to Amalie at 47th.

However, Scotland’s Hannah Darling, 17, the Girls’ Under-16 Open Champion in 2018, then ended the hopes of Leth-Nissen in the afternoon with a one-hole victory.

Of the other leading qualifiers from Wednesday, Rosie Belsham lost to Annabel Bailey by one hole and Carolina Melgrati from Italy also exited at the 19th to Wales’ Ffion Tynan.

Laura Webb, the oldest player in the field at 57, won her first match before Tynan took her out with a 2&1 victory.

Italian Alessia Nobilio, the world number five, quietly went about her work to reach the last-16, while two German players, Paula Schulz-Hanssen and Aline Krauter, also progressed. Lily May Humphreys, the highest-ranked English player in the field, now faces Schulz-Hanssen tomorrow.

However, there was disappointment for home club member Hollie Muse and Scotland’s Hazel MacGarvie as they exited at the last-64 stage.

The match play continues tomorrow, with the last-16 and quarter-final ties played, ahead of Saturday’s semi-finals and the 18-hole Final. There are significant rewards for the champion with exemptions into the AIG Women’s Open and traditionally, the US Women’s Open, The Evian Championship and Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship.

Thanks to the R&A for the information in this report.