Ellis cranks up Play-Off bid

Ian Ellis produced one of the rounds of the year to lead at the halfway stage of The Rayleigh Club Championship – the last Order of Merit event of 2014 for the PGA in England (East).

With the top-four on the final rankings list set to head to the PGA Play Offs in Turkey at the end of November, Ellis started out at the Essex course somewhat precariously placed in fourth position.

But the Great Yarmouth and Caister PGA Professional significantly boosted his chances of booking his spot with a superb nine-under-par round of 64 to edge one ahead of Mark Davis (Thorndon Park).

Ellis was in peerless form, recording seven birdies and an eagle. But the job is only half done as Davis, who notched eight birdies of his own, is poised to pounce – as are Darren Charlton and Andrew George (Ely City), both lurking at seven-under.

Indeed, Charlton (Dunstable Downs) is still very much in the hunt for his own Titleist PGA Play-Off place. He started the tournament in sixth place in the standings, but is well within striking range after his 66.

Darren Bragg (North London Golf Academy) and John Clarke (Berkhamsted) are in a tie for fifth.

Ellis, Davis and Charlton are the last group out at 12.50pm on what will be a day of reckoning at The Rayleigh Club.