AN OPENING round 73 left Ged Furey seven shots off the pace set by South African Retief Goosen in the Slaley Hall Northumberland Challenge.

And after a further nine holes today the Pleasington professional was still one over par. Level par or one over should be enough for him to survive the halfway cut.

He had a good benchmark, however, in order to stay in touch with the leaders.

Playing partner Juan Carlos Pinero from Spain shot an opening round 68 to burst into second place and was expected to sustain his challenge. Pre-tournament favourites Howard Clark and Andrew Coltart fell to a 76 and 75 respectively.

Chorley's Lora Fairclough also shot 73 in the opening round of the DM-Nesse Swiss Open at Maison Blanche.

Swedish player Sofia Gronberg, Australia's Nadine Gole and Patricia Meunier of France held the first round lead on 68.

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