Paul McGinley displayed there’s still plenty of fight in the 46-year old Dubliner muscling his way to within two shots of the lead heading to the third round  of the ISPS Handa Wales Open at Celtic Manor.

It is the second year in succession McGinley finds himself in contention in the event after adding a second round 69 to his opening 70 and move into a five way share of fourth place on three under par and just two shots from the lead.

Little known Welshman Liam Bond, who resides just 10 minutes from the Twenty-Ten course, is a surprise leader signing for a 68 and a one shot lead at five under par.

Bond, 33 was looking for golf balls on Wednesday afternoon with his seven-year old daughter when he got a call from the Tour to tee-up in the event, and in his first Tour start since November 2011.

Paul McGinley proves that there is still plenty of fight in the 46-year old Irishman. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)

Norwegian Espen Kofstad, who played alongside McGinley for the first two rounds, failed to repeat his opening day heroics in posting a score of 74 and 10 shots more than day one to be second and tied with South African Tjaart Van Der Walt (71).

McGinley did not contest the event in 2011 but stormed home a year ago on the back of a last day 65 to snare a share of sixth place.

Now the 46-year old Dubliner has shown there’s still plenty of fight in the old dog as he strives to end a near eight year victory drought.

“I played well here last year but then I learned so much from watching the Ryder Cup players when we were here in 2010,” said McGinley smiling.

“They educated me as to how play this golf course because before that I had a pretty poor record around here so I learned a lot from that Ryder Cup.”

Also making the cut was Damien McGrane (71) at one under par, David Higgins (70) at two over and Gareth Maybin (75) right on the four over mark.

However Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup qualifying campaign got off to a horror start missing the cut with scores of 78 and 73 for a nine over par tally.