FOUR-TIMES winner Ged Furey will be bidding to regain the BS Property Developments Lancashire PGA Championship at Southport and Ainsdale next week.

The Pleasington professional won the title on his last outing but other commitments have kept him out of the field for the past couple of years.

However, he will tee it up again next Tuesday and Wednesday along with the rest of East Lancashire's professionals, including another former winner in Wilpshire's Simon Townend, after the tournament won a late stay of execution.

A lack of sponsorship had put it in jeopardy, but new backers came forward to support the PGA Championship and the Lancashire Open Championship, which will be played at Heron's Reach in Blackpool the week after next.

"It would be tragic if we lost them off the calendar," said Furey.

One of the new sponsors is Horwich professional Brian Sharrock, who will be looking to recoup some of the £3,000 he has put up via his Preston-based company.

Sharrock is one of the favourites to head the 59-strong field, but Furey is also optimistic about his prospects.

"I haven't practised as much as I would have liked by I still feel pretty good. I'm playing all right, although I don't know the course that well," added Furey, who has played Southport and Ainsdale before, but not in a tournament.

However, Furey is helped by his enjoyment of links golf, although all the players will be hoping the weather doesn't cut up rough.

Also mounting a local challenge will be: Paul McEvoy (Clitheroe), Dominic Fitzgerald (Darwen), Jonathan Ashton (Pleasington), Bill Tye (Burnley), Robert Ratcliffe (Rossendale), Guy Bretherton (Nelson), Stuart Taylor (Shaw Hill), Jeff Mathews (Blackburn Driving Range), Damian Taylor (Accrington and District), Nigel Sumner (Nelson) and John Twissell (Clitheroe).

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