FORMER Bournemouth Alliance captain Michael Watson threw down the gauntlet as he put himself firmly into title contention at the midway stage of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship in association with Peugeot.

The Wessex Golf Centre professional and winner of the 2009 PGA Play-Offs, moved to five-under-par for the tournament after carding a second round six-under-66 as the ‘cellophane came off the holes’ on the PGA National course at the Belfry.

Watson, who began today one-over-par after an opening 73, rattled in an eagle at the par five sixth along with six birdies – including a trio from the eighth – to get his championship bid up-and-running.

It wasn’t all plain sailing with dropped shots at the third and seventh, but he was more than content to have played his way to the top of the leaderboard, with the first round leaders – headed by Ireland-based Rob Giles on four-under – still out on the course.

“I played very well yesterday but didn’t hole absolutely anything but I finally got some putts in,” said Watson, who came into the tournament in fine form after a string of recent wins on the PGA West Region.

“There were a couple of snaky long ones, including one on the par five sixth for an eagle. I got a good birdie on 14 and played solidly coming back.

“It’s the kind of course you’ve got to hit it well off the tee, which suits me. I had a practice round on Monday and I felt then there was a good score out there in me. I knew if I played the way I played yesterday and the cellophane came off the holes it would let me in and it did.”

The 72-hole championship, the flagship event on the PGA tournament schedule, carries a prize fund of £78,000 with £10,000 going to the winner.

In addition, this year’s event will decide the 10-strong GB& I PGA Cup team to take on the United States at CordeValle, California, in September. Watson is eager to be involved in the side having heard so much about the biennial Ryder Cup-style event from his Wessex colleague Jon Bevan, who is also competing at The Belfry.

“I’ve never finished high enough to get any points so it’s a big incentive and I’ve put myself in a good position but it will all depend on the next two days,” added Watson.

“I’ve heard so much from Jon, who is so, so passionate about the PGA Cup so if I am lucky enough to make the team and Jon is playing as well, well that would be incredible. But that’s still two days away to even contemplate.

“It’s still about seeing the job through to the end.”

PGA North Region’s David Shacklady (Mossock Hall) and Barry Taylor (Houghwood) both shot a second successive 71 to move to two-under for the championship, where they were joined by Nick Ludwell (Selby), who added a level par 72 – three bogies from the 12th costing him a share of the lead with Watson.

Defending champion David Mortimer (Galway) carded a one-over-par 73 to ease to one-under alongside another former champion – Paul Wesselingh (Kedleston Park), who added a 71 to his opening 72.

The second round is due to be completed by 8.30pm with the top 50 and ties making the cut.