AMATEUR WILDE LEADS WITH A ROUND TO GO IN EUROPR0 TOUR

NEWS RELEASE FROM EURO PROTOUR

Amateur Tom Wilde (Castle Royal Golf Club) leads the Buildbase Open by one stroke from Gary King and Michael McGeady on 11 under par ahead of the final round of the fifth 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour event of the season, being staged on the Blue Course at Frilford Heath Golf Club in Oxfordshire.

Wilde shot a second-round 65 to move to the top of the leaderboard on Saturday evening. Irishman McGeady carded a 66 while King (Tyrrells Wood) also hit a seven-under 65 to tie for second on ten under.

Greg Payne (Chobham Golf Club), Jack Harrison (Wildwood Golf Club) and New Zealand’s Harry Bateman (Royal Wellington Golf Club) share fourth place on nine under, two behind leader Wilde, who has enjoyed success at Frilford Heath before.

“This place has been good to me,” he said after shooting his way to the top of the leaderboard. “I have been Frilford Heath Gold Medal winner for the past two years, which is what got me into this week’s event.

“I couldn’t play last year but I have loved every minute of it this year. I have had some good finishes recently and I feel that my game has been there for the last year really, but hopefully this is the making of it and it has finally broken out.

“My idea was to go out and have some fun. Generally the idea of an amateur in a pro event is to gain experience and okay, if they play well they might make the cut. I knew if I played well I could be in with a shout of being up there but I am extremely happy to be sitting in the situation I am right now.

“I will go out and have some fun tomorrow. It is nice to be in contention and I am sure there are people who don’t expect an amateur to go on and win but I feel I have been playing well enough.

“I have already set my sights on turning professional in September and I am going to do European Tour Q School here at Frilford. My aim is to get my Challenge Tour card in the next couple of years and go on from there but if anything else progresses faster, then fantastic.”

Wilde’s second-round 65 comprised five birdies and an eagle three on the 15th. 

McGeady also managed an eagle in his round, at the fourth, but his seven birdies were partially offset by three bogeys. King took three on the par-five eighth and his only dropped shot was at the first.

A cut to the leading 50 professionals plus ties has now been made, with the 63 golfers whose 36-hole score is two under par or better competing over a final 18 on Sunday (June 30).

Spectator entry to the course is free all weekend and a two-hour highlights package will be broadcast on Sky Sports HD four times on Wednesday, July 10.

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