Belt blows competition away

Alex Belt is on course to avoid a Wentworth hangover after a stunning four-under-par 67 left him two shots clear in the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship.

Yorkshireman Belt, who is based at Snainton GC, aptly blew the competition away at a blustery Burnham & Berrow, finishing the second round level-par to head the leaderboard at the halfway stage.

His pinpoint accuracy on the greens left him unequalled as difficult conditions kept scoring high over the famous links course which has been tamed by world-class players including Christy O’Connor and Justin Rose over its rich 125-year history.

Belt’s stellar round in the £78,000 championship final came less than two weeks after the disappointment of a missed cut at the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship.

And the wide grin he bore after two birdies from his final two holes showed the personal importance of a day which edged him closer to a place in Jon Bevan’s PGA Cup team to play the United States in California in September.

The leading six players in south-west England this week will likely secure their places in the team for the biennial matchplay event.

Belt said: “I got here this morning and said to my caddy John that if we could be within four shots of the lead it would be a good day’s work.

“The conditions yesterday were really tough and I expected more of the same. I didn’t make many mistakes today and putted well which really made the difference.

“It’s a strange situation coming out of Wentworth because you spend an awful lot of time and energy preparing for the week and actually playing while you’re there.

“I didn’t feel at my best while I was there, but after a few days off I’m starting to get my mojo back a little bit.

“That’s important because this is a big week for me, I’ve always wanted to play in the PGA Cup and I’d love to make it into Jon Bevan’s team for later this year.”

Belt ended the day clear of closest challengers Alex Wrigley (Hartlepool) and Michael Watson (Wessex) who both go into the third round two-over-par.

Wrigley, who led going into round two, impressed once again despite a difficult start with a bogey at the first hole.

“I didn’t play as well as I did yesterday, but still managed to get it round okay,” he concluded.

“I’m really pleased to be in the position I am though after two rounds, especially when you consider the conditions.

“I just want to get back out there now and start practicing for my round tomorrow.”

Michael Watson, a regular competitor over the Somerset links, was pleased with his day’s work.

“I played solid and sensible. Hit the ball well off the tee into good positions. I didn’t hole a great deal but took my medicine when I hit poor shots.

“I was never really in any bother but am quite pleased because the greens were getting quite firm so it was difficult to get close to the flag so you had to hope for the right bounce a few times.

“I’ve generally played quite well around here. It’s the old cliché just play each hole as it is, the situation might change your game plan a little bit.

“There is a little bit of an advantage having played it quite a lot, but I’m sure the other guys will get the hang of it. The biggest advantage was in these conditions, especially yesterday. We know how tough it is because it is not the widest of links courses, it’s quite narrow, and especially with the cross wind on everything, it was hard work.”

The winner at Burnham & Berrow will also secure the use of a Peugeot 308GT for 12 months.