JON Cheetham was hoping for a quick pick-me-up when he started his first round at the M.E.N. Manchester Open today.

The 38-year-old Mobberley professional was still recovering from the disappointment of failing to clear the first hurdle to the European Tour School, when he missed out by two shots at Carden Park.

"I putted horrendously," he admitted.

"That's been my story all season - it was the only part of my game to let me down.

"Tee to green, I was exceptional and, for all my putting problems, I was on course to qualify until I got stuck in a bunker at the par-three 14th hole in the final round.

"The ball was up against the face and it took three shots to get out and that cost me a double bogey.

"It was just one of those things, but I'm not despondent because I know everything will work out. I'm playing well enough and I hope I will get the breaks this week."

Cheetham is also hoping history will repeat itself.

Spurred

When he won our title two years ago, it spurred him on to secure a place on the Asian Tour and, despite only keeping his full card for one season, he feels he is better equipped to cope with the extreme temperatures.

"I've entered an event in China next month, and then I'll try to win back my category at the tour school in January," he said.

Before then, Cheetham will hope to have resolved his putting dilemma.

He practised over nine holes at Mottram at the weekend with Australian Brad Kennedy, a fully-fledged European Tour player, who is renting his house in Ashton.

"I met him in Asia last year and he wanted a base over here," Cheetham explained.

"He's given me a few tips to get my putting back to where it should be.

"Averaging 34 a round is unacceptable at this level, especially when I've been hitting greens in regulation but not making the birdies."

Cheetham is also aiming to clinch a top-three place in the PGA North Region Order of Merit this week.

Spring

He conceded that Welshman Simon Edwards looks a cast-iron certainly to win the Mike Slater trophy because of his big lead, but he would be happy to finish second or remain in third place, which would qualify him for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next spring.

"I'd settle for that, because although I've not won anything of note this season, I feel I've been playing the best golf of my career - apart from sinking the putts.

"I know I'm competitive enough to play in Europe and I'll keep battling on. I'm desperate to play at the highest level. I'd like to think I've another six years to achieve it, but there's no real time frame.

"I won't give up. I've never felt that way in the past, and had I done so, I would not have played in the Open at Royal Troon last season," he added.

Cheetham tied fourth in yesterday's pro-am with a two-under-par 70, a shot behind Huddersfield pro Paul Carman and Welshmen Matthew Tottey and Matthew Ellis, a member of the GB&I team who won the PGA Cup against the United States at Ireland's K Club at the weekend.

The M.E.N Manchester Open is co-sponsored by Brother UK and Mercedes Benz.