Matt Ford regained the PGA Southern Professional Championship with a second round 61 - the second-lowest score of his career

By Matthew Panting

Matt Ford's love affair with the PGA Southern Professional Championship continued when he won the title for the second time in three years.

Ford, who shot a second round 61 – the second-lowest score of his career – to win by three strokes, clearly enjoys playing the Dale Hill course.

The Bearsted golfer, who is playing a European Challenge Tour event in Toulouse this week, only made the cut by one shot and trailed the leaders by six shots.

"It was supposed to be another 36 holes but because of heavy fog in the morning, it was only possible to play 18," said Ford.

"I thought that had taken my chance away to catch them but I got off to a great start, with two birdies, and from there just tried to stay in the moment and play good golf."

Ford did exactly that as he was eight under par after 12 holes and he admitted that he had hopes of beating his career-best 59, which he set earlier this summer.

"When the thought of 59 came, I got a little ahead of myself," he said. "But the last few holes at Dale Hill don’t offer many birdie opportunities.

"I managed to birdie 16 and made saves for par at the last two holes to win by three shots."