Chepstow’s Liam Bond did end up as the top Welshman in the field, but it’s hard to believe he wasn’t disappointed to see his tournament fade away so dramatically in the Wales Open.

Bond went from overnight leader on five under par after 36 holes to finishing five over.

However, consolation for the St Pierre pro at least that his closing 74 was an improvement on his disappointing 78 on Saturday.

Within seconds of finishing his round on Friday that put him to the top of the Wales Open leaderboard, he was greeted by an old friend.

Bond was being followed by a very familiar face on the South Wales golf circuit.

The man in question? Ex-Newport County general manager Steve Dance, who used to be Bond’s caddie.

Bond had admitted he was in dreamland after his superb round of 67 put him right in contention at the ISPS Handa Wales Open, a tournament he was invited to play in only 18 hours before it started.

The St Pierre professional, currently 1528 in the world and competing on the South West Order of Merit in 2013, led the entire Wales Open for large periods after getting to five under par.

It’s a far cry from the events he currently competes in – Bond opted against playing on the Challenge Tour this year and plays regionally - and all the more remarkable as Bond didn’t even get an invite to play until 1.30pm on Wednesday. Just 24 hours later he shot 69 in round one.

Already a winner three times this term in the Microsoft Masters at Bowood, West Region Players’ Championship at Cumberwell Park and the Total Triumph at Oak Manor, Bond was hoping it would be fourth time lucky too at the Celtic Manor.

Bond could’ve left the game in the UK completely this year, seeing a prospective chance to move to Moscow for work falling through; perhaps a case of With Russia with Glove, Bond admitting he’s probably had a lucky escape.

He explained: “I was very close to going to Moscow and taking a job but it didn’t work out and I decided to keep on playing and practicing.

The late notice didn’t faze Bond either.

“I didn’t get the call until Wednesday lunchtime, I was out on the (St Pierre) course with my daughter Daisy and she was looking for one of my balls, I was chuffed to bits to get the call,” he confirmed.