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Golf: Liam Bond takes lead at Australian Open

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Liam Bond carded six-under-par 66 took a one-shot lead at the Austrian Open.

Welsh 41-year-old rookie Liam Bond, who only escaped qualifying school at the 16th attempt last year, took a one-shot lead at the Austrian Open on Thursday.He enjoyed seven birdies, with four coming in the last five holes, against one bogey, for a six-under-par 66 to lead by one from Denmarks Thomas Norret, Australian Daniel Gaunt and Dutchman Joost Luiten.Steve Webster of England was a shot further back on 68.It was a timely round for Bond, who has yet to record a top-20 finish this season and who came into the tournament on a run of five successive missed cuts.At 193 on The Race to Dubai order of merit, Bond still faces a huge struggle to keep his card for next year.I played really well today -- I didnt miss too many shots, he said.I had a couple of really good up-and-downs early in the round to stay under par when I could have easily slipped back over par. Then I had a great finish with four birdies in my last five holes.I havent been the best with the putter on Tour this year so it was very nice to strike the ball well and see a lot of them go in the hole. I have to say that the greens here are outstanding.I have played all right this year -- I think I have missed five cuts by a single shot, so that tells you that you are not playing badly. Things just went my way today.Of the three Walker Cup players making their professional debuts in the event, Andy Sullivan had the best day with a level-par 72.Tom Lewis, who shot to fame at the British Open in July with an opening 65, is two over, while Northern Irishman Paul Cutler struggled to an opening round 77.
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