NEWPORT, Wales, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Welsh club professional Liam Bond shot a 3-under-par 68 Friday and moved into the lead of the European Tour's ISPS Handa Wales Open.
Bond, the pro at nearby St. Pierre, learned only Wednesday he had been given a spot in the tournament. He backed his opening round 69 with one of the few under-par rounds Friday to get to 5-under 137 after 36 holes.
First-round leader Espen Kofstad staggered through an up-and-down 3-over 74 and is tied with Tjaart van der Walt, who shot even par Friday, for second at 4-under.
Graeme Storm had the round of the day with a 4-under 67 -- despite three bogeys -- and is in a group tied for fourth at 3-under. Rafael Cabrera-Bello (68 Friday), Paul McGinley (69), Peter Uihlein (70) and Gregory Bourdy (72) are also at 3-under 139 for the tournament.
Kofstad, starting his round at the 11th hole, had two birdies and two bogeys in his first nine holes Friday but then had three bogeys over Nos. 1-4. He had a birdie at the fifth hole but added another bogey at 7.
Bond was much more steady. After opening with four pars, he had a birdie at the fifth hole. He went bogey-birdie at Nos. 7-8 but moved into the lead with three birdies over the stretch of Nos. 11-15. He did fall back with a bogey at the 18th.
