Local knowledge paid off handsomely for Matthew Owen as he seized the lead at the Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Welsh National PGA Championship at Asburnham.
The Swansea-born pro, who is now based at NI Driving Range in Surrey, spent four years at the famous old links as an assistant and proved he hadn't forgotten a single blade of the course with a brilliant four-under-par 68 second round.
Owen's exploits have catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard at level par and earned him a three shot advantage over James Lee (Caerphilly), John Peters (Machynys), Matthew Dearden (The Vale) and Peter Hunt (Glamorganshire) going into the final round of the £42,500 tournament.
"The wind changed round from yesterday and it was tough so I'm very pleased with a 68," said Owen.
"I was doing well until a double bogey on eight but got birdies at 10, 11 and 12 and then hit a good shot down wind at 14 for an eagle and managed to keep it together with a couple of good shots including a par saving putt on 17."
However despite his lead, Owen knows better than most in the field that there is no room for complacency.
"Three shots is nothing round here so I'm just going to try and do the same thing and hit it down the fairways and hopefully hole a few putts," he said.
"I've never really been in this position before but I'm looking forward to it."
Pushing him all the way will be Lee who showed he is in good form ahead of his impending PGA Cup appearance for Great Britain & Ireland against America by carding the second best round of the day - a three-under-par 69.
Lee's round included a lost ball and double bogey on the first.
"It's strange because I went to Machynys to practise and was hitting some lovely 4-irons there with a little bit of fade. I tried to do exactly the same at the first hole and hit a pull-hook into the bush," he said.
"I thought it wasn't going to be my day but I knuckled down and with my provisional ball shot a 67 so I'm absolutely delighted."
A new putter and putting tip from a member helped The Glamorganshire's Peter Hunt into a share of second behind Owen while Dearden is aiming for a repeat success having won at Ashburnham two years ago.
Machynys pro Peters admitted it was a 'flip of the coin' as to how he was going to perform so was delighted to still be in the hunt after a 75 despite breaking one of his cardinal rules.
"I had a long wait on the 15th and lost my ball and took a double bogey six," he said. "I then did what I tell my pupils not to do and three putted the next and bogeyed the next after that but it's great to be in the mix because you don't get too many opportunities to win this tournament."
A cluster of players are tied in sixth place at four-over-par including Swansea amateur James Frazer (Pennard) who believes he can sustain his challenge.
"I'm here to win but there's no pressure on me to win because I'm an amateur," he said.
Andrew Pestell (Chelmsford Golf Club) was left to reflect on mixed fortunes after fighting back from eight over after nine holes to put together a stunning run on the back nine which saw him sink three birdies on 10, 12 and 13 and bag an eagle on 14.
"That sums how I have played all year, very erratic with flashes of brilliance and absolute rubbish," he reflected.
First round leader Chris Murphy (Raglan Parc) is at six over for the tournament after a 79.
03 September, 2009