Welsh-based golfer Liam Bond beat a quality field to win a PGA West Region order of merit tournament for the first time at Cumberwell Park, writes PETER GODSIFF.

A tap-in birdie at the 18th sealed a two-shot win over fellow Challenge Tour player Sion Bebb.

Bond, 41, who hopes his win will be the spur to making a return to the European Tour next season, consolidated his first round lead with a near-flawless four-under-par 67 on a rainy second day.

He said: “I love coming here and remember with affection my first visit 12 years ago when I won the West Region Assistants title.’’

Former European Open champion Stephen Dodd added to the quality of the field and finished in a tie for fourth alongside Lee Thompson, Cheltenham’s Russell Berry and Michael Watson.

Iain Ferrie produced the round of the week, with a seven-birdie 64 that propelled him 51 places into a share of eighth.

Defending champion and former Wiltshire county captain Ali James started his defence in style with an opening 68 to stand two off the lead.

A second-round 73 saw him finish tied for 11th.

John Jacobs, Cumberwell Park’s director of golf, said: “It was a fantastic week for the club and we were amazed how well the course stood up after such appalling weather.’’

Cumberwell professionals Ben Lloyd and Alex Pike finished in the top three places in the pro-am that preceded the main event.

Lloyd led Martin Little, Ross Pike and John Iles into first spot with a total of 13-under-par for 85 stableford points, three better than Pike’s team of Will Brown, Mark Keevil and Josh Dee.

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