SOUTHAMPTON'S Richard Bland birdied the final three holes to comfortably qualify for the weekend's last two days of the Wales Open.

The 30-year-old Stoneham tournament pro looked down and out when he bogeyed the monster 456-yard par four 15th hole on the Celtic Manor course yesterday.

That put him on level par and right on the projected cut mark for the £1.5m tournament.

But Bland, desperate for a big pay cheque after slumping to 132nd in the order of merit, got tough as the going got harder.

He birdied the 16th and 17th holes, both par fours, then rolled in another birdie putt at the par five 18th to reach halfway three under par after rounds of 72 and 69.

Fellow Southampton player Matt Blackey's fortures went in completely the opposite direction.

He was still in with a chance of making the cut when he reached the 15th hole on level par for the tournament after two birdies on the front nine.

But Hayling Islander Blackey then bogeyed the next three holes to slump out of contention.

Salisbury's Gary Emerson also failed to beat the cut, adding a second-round 73 to his disappointing 75 on the opening day.

Ryder Cup hero Phil Price is hoping to draw on his Belfry experience to produce a first home victory in the event.

Price birdied four of his last six holes for a second round 66, two shots behind leader Ian Poulter, the man he pipped to the last qualifying place for the European team.

Poulter, battling a bout of tonsillitis, added a 67 to his course-record equalling 65 for a 12-under halfway total of 132 and pole position in the battle for the £250,000 first prize.