NEIL Cheetham won the Thompson Davis PGA North Region Championship at Marriott Hollins Hall then headed back to his Sheffield home to pack his bags for a Friday flight to Johannesburg.

The 42-year-old professional, who has just completed his summer coaching stint at Dore and Totley, is returning to South Africa to resume his playing career on the Sunshine Tour.

But he will be back in Britain in three weeks to compete in the Srixon PGA Play-offs at Little Aston after qualifying for topping the region’s Order of Merit for the second time since in nine years.

“It’s all a bit hectic because I’ve two tournaments over there but I’m used to travelling. I finished in the leading 60 last winter to keep my card and that will get me into a few European Tour events as well,” said Cheetham who signed off with a 67 at the Shipley club, five-under-par in total, to win by four shots from Woodsome Hall’s David Astin.

Westerhope professional George Cowan, who led by two shots overnight, stayed in the box seat until half-way through the final round but three bogeys in four holes from the 11th cost him dearly as Cheetham claimed pole position.

He produced three birdies and one bogey on each loop and knew it was going to be his day when he rolled in a monster putt at the 15th.

“I drained it from at least 60 feet and it had a four-foot break,” he said. “I did not know until I walked off the green that I had a bit of a cushion.”

Cheetham has been region’s most consistent player all season, tying second in the Manchester Open and third in the Leeds Cup, attributing his success to his coach Haydn Selby Green, who won the title in 1991.

Cowan closed with 74 to share third place with PGA Cup player Will Barnes, from Garstang, who returned 69. But the round off the day was a 66 from former Ryder Cup man and European Seniors’ Tour winner Gordon Brand, attached to Hollins Hall, who only just survived the cut.

Meanwhile, Mossock Hall’s David Shacklady and John Wells, from Cherry Burton, finished second and third respectively in the Order of Merit and also earned their place in the Little Aston field.

LEADING SCORES: 137 Neil Cheetham (Dore & Totley) 70 67; 141 David Astin (Woodsome Hall) 70 71; 142 Will Barnes (Garstang) 73 69, George Cowan (Westerhope) 68 74; 143 Gordon Brand (Marriott Hollins Hall) 77 66, John Wells (Cherry Burton) 75 68, Graham Cox (Davenport) 74 69, David Smith (Swinton Park) 72 71, Fraser Kelley (Malton & Norton) 72 71, Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorkshire) 70 73.

MERIT LEADERS: 687 Neil Cheetham (Dore & Totley); 464 David Shacklady (Mossock Hall); 431 John Wells (Cherry Burton); 386 Steve Parry (unatt); 376 George Cowan (Westerhope); 375 Fraser Kelley (Malton & Norton); 355 Chris Clarke (Waterfront Golf); 353 David Smith (Swinton Park); 328 Paul Eales (Garstang); 325 Adrian Ambler (Walton Golf Centre).