Bond in contention in Cornwall
03/04/2014
Liam Bond was on fire at the Cornish Festival, firing a superb sub-par round at St Enodoc 14 years after he last appeared in the competition.
The 43-year-old Marriott St Pierre player said: “I played really solid in difficult conditions and was sharp around the greens. It was a tough test as the last few holes played into wind so I needed a three-wood to both 17 and 18.”
He then made the most of an early appearance at Trevose where he produced a four-under round of 67. An opening birdie, another at the par-three second followed by an eagle at the 465-yard fourth made it a four-under-par start.
He could not improve, though, and his solitary bogey on the sixth was followed by 11 pars and just one further birdie on the 14th. He said: “I thought I was in for a low one after that start but I just played steady after that.
“I haven't played Newquay for many years so I can't remember what it's like, but hopefully I'll be able to put in a good challenge to win.”
Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst stumbled at the close of his second impressive round. He dropped shots at the final two holes at Newquay then at St Enodoc took seven at the 550-yard par five 16th and bogeyed the last. Three birdies and two earlier bogeys for 71 leaves him at two-under-par three shots behind Bondbut he remains well placed going into his final round at Trevose.
European Tour player Richard Bland, encouraged by amateur playing partner ex England footballer Matt Le Tissier, is also three behind after a fighting par round at Newquay.
The main places could be decided at Trevose. James Ruth (China Fleet) followed his 65 at Newquay with a steady par 69 at St Enodoc to move to one shot off the pace although Richard Sadler (Killiow) could not build on his excellent opening day.
David Dixon (Enmore Park), winner in 2008 and 2009, is on level-par and cannot be ruled out as he finishes at Trevose where he shot seven-under 64 in claiming third in 2011. The defending champion Peter Baker (South Staffs) broke par at St Enodoc but will also need an outstanding round at Trevose to retain his title.
Round of the day undoubtedly went to Minchinhampton's Stuart Little who's five birdie 66 included three twos at the par threes for the low round of the week at St Enodoc. His round elevated him to a tie for thirteenth at plus one for the tournament.
Overnight leader Chris Gane (Left Handed Golf at Silvermere) found Newquay tricky and a double bogey on the last for a five-over 74 left him alongside five other players placed four shots off the lead, although consolation is that his team top the Pro-Am leaderboard.
They are two points ahead of the trio led by Danny White (Players Club) who compiled seven birdies at Newquay with Torquay’s new young assistant Nathan Gilpin’s team three strokes further back in third.
The tight leaderboard promises an exciting final day in both the professional and team events which conclude on Thursday.
