GED Furey, taking a break from his unhappy first season on the European Tour, picked up where he left off last year with the PGA North Region when he led the first round of the £15,000 Mercedes Charity Classic at Catterick.

The Pleasington professional, who has not made the halfway cut in any of his five starts in Europe, rediscovered his putting touch which had been the cause of his problems when he returned a course record equalling four-under-par 67 containing six birdies.

Considering he had not played the course for 10 years and did not have time for a practice round after travelling home from the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentforth, Furey was happy to lead by a shot from unattached Yorkshireman Neil Cheetham.

"I've been averaging 36 each round on the Tour which is five too many so I've had no chance," said the reigning De Vere Hotels PGA North Region champion.

"It's terribly frustrating because I seldom miss a fairway off the tee."

In cold, blustery conditions Furey rolled in four birdies from the 10th but missed from four feet at the 16th where his approach shot hit the flagstick.

Details: 67 G Furey (Pleasington), 68 N Cheetham (unatt), 69 P Jenkinson (Penrith DR), R Hutt (Royal Birkdale), M Wilkes (Llandudno Maesdu), 70 C Bassett (Wath), A Roberts (Drive Time), M Macara (Rhos on Sea), 71 P Allan (Ashton-in-Makerfield), G Brown (Ganton), H Selby-Green (Lindrick), C Tyson (Malton & Norton), G Bell (Eaglescliffe), 72 P Carman (Huddersfield), PWalker (Knott End), M Archer (Roseberry Grange), D Patterson (Stressholme).

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