Home favourite Liam Bond is the surprise leader of Wales Open at halfway stage after a three-under-par second-round of 68 at Celtic Manor.
Bond was only invited to the tournament as a late inclusion on Wednesday afternoon but he has taken full advantage of the chance.
The 43-year-old sits atop the leaderboard on five-under-par after finishing two-under at 68 on the opening day, as he continued to build momentum with five birdies which overshadowed his two bogeys.
The Welshman won his only European Tour card at his 16th visit to qualifying school in 2010 but immediately lost it after finishing in a lowly 191st on the Order of Merit.
He missed the cut in 2013 at an event in Scotland – the only Challenge Tour event he has entered.
Bond said: “I’m playing way better than when I had my card in 2011. The pressure is off because I’m not trying to keep my card.
“I’m just trying to play and enjoy it. I only live 10 minutes down the road so it’s nice to be so close to home.”
Bond has given himself a real opportunity to challenge for the points on offer, but he may be more interested in the £300,000 winner’s cheque after only banking a little over £100,000 since turning professional in 1986.
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