AFTER 12 years of hurt Jamie Donaldson is in the hunt to become the first home winner of the Saab Wales Open.

The Pontypridd golfer is just two shots off the lead going into today’s third round at the Celtic Manor after a wonderful 40ft putt for an eagle on the 18th green took him to six under par.

Donaldson has not won a tournament since the Mauritius Open in 2008 and has never topped a European Tour event but his round of 68 puts him two behind leader Alexander Noren and one behind playing partner Graeme McDowell.

And, while he acknowledges that defending champion G-Mac is the favourite to prevail tomorrow afternoon, he’s delighted to be up there with the leading contenders at the halfway stage.

“It was tough in the wind today but I played really well and it was great to finish with an eagle,” said the 35-year-old.

“There’s a long way to go but that helps a lot because it puts me in a stronger position.

“Playing with Graeme McDowell and Peter Hanson (-5) helps a lot, they are fantastic players,” he added.

“They’ll be in the hunt on Sunday afternoon, without a shadow of a doubt. Hopefully I can stick with them and remain in contention.”

Next best Welshman is Mountain Ash’s Stuart Manley whose level par 71 yesterday kept him in the chasing pack on four under par after he, too, hit an enormous putt on the 18th for a birdie.

“I hit an atrocious lob wedge onto the green and I thought it might even spin back into the water but thankfully I holed the putt and that was a great moment in front of the crowd on the 18th,” he said.

“My game is in good shape and I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

Last year’s runner-up Rhys Davies also made the cut after a level par 71 left him at one over par and he believes he can still challenge the leaders this weekend.

“I played really well. I hit some really good shots, some really good putts and didn’t get much out of it,” said the Bridgend star.

“I played good golf. I didn’t really do a lot wrong and if I can play like that at the weekend I can get right up there.

“I’m not just knocking on the door, I’m banging on it and it’s got to open at some point.”

Newport’s Phillip Price, a member of the Celtic Manor, is still there but only just after being docked two points for teeing off from the wrong place on the 15th hole.

TV cameras picked up the bizarre error and the penalty took him to two over par, meaning he just made the cut.

But there was only disappointment for Blackwood’s Bradley Dredge with his second round of 75 leaving him six over and on his way home.

“It wasn’t too good for me. It’s an early bath. I’ll rest now and get ready for next week (at the Italian Open),” he said.

“The wind made it difficult but a few really bad holes cost me.

“I’ve had a few disappointing rounds here but day one was really poor and this wasn’t much better. Two really bad days but that happens sometimes.

“It’s not very nice when it happens at your home tournament but I’ve just got to put it behind me and move on.”