LEE Thompson is keen to make it third time lucky in the BMW Championship at Wentworth on May 26.

The Dudsbury pro will be making his third attempt to make the halfway cut in the European Tour flagship event after two previous near misses.

Thompson, a part-time taxi driver, missed out last year after a disastrous nine on the 16th hole of his second round took him out of the reckoning.

He endured a similar late body blow on his Wentworth debut in 1998 when he needed only a par five at the 18th to book his place for the final two rounds.

But, thinking he needed a birdie to make the cut, he ended up with a double-bogey seven.

The 33-year-old, who has qualified alongside fellow Dudsbury pro Mark Wiggett through last year's West Region order of merit, is out to make amends this time around.

Thompson said: "I made a bad decision last year on 16. I just hit the wrong club off the tee and ended up with nine, but that won't affect me this year. Let's hope I can make it third time lucky this time and make the cut.

"I'm really looking forward to it. Standing on the first tee you are always a bit nervous - you just want to get away but it is a great event. But it is all about eliminating mistakes and trying to relax and play my best golf."

Wiggett, who has been practising on the West Course with Thompson, added: "The greens are extremely quick and that will be the toughest step up for those of us who are not on the Tour. I've been playing a few pro-ams but this is a bit different!

"The rough is mega-thick this year so it will be about keeping it in play as best as you can."

Thompson is off at 7.10am alongside Lee Slattery and Wade Ormsby while Wiggett tees off at 10.40am with Carlos Rodiles and Peter Hedblom.