Shoebury golf professional Richard McEvoy is continuing his fine form in Latin America.

Having won the Panama Open before Christmas and collecting a 27,000 euros prize, the former Thorpe Hall Walker Cup amateur international was joint leader after the first round of the latest event on the European Challenge Tour, the Costa Rica Open.

On the windy Cariari Country Club course, McEvoy shot a splendid four under par 67 to join Argentina's Juan Abbate and Kyle Dobbs (USA) at the top of the leaderboard.

The last time 25-year-old McEvoy played the course in this event, two years ago, he missed the halfway cut.

He pledged to gain his revenge over the course --and did it in style by coming home in 31.

He said: "I just generally played solid today.

"My game was tidy and I putted very well. When I did hit trouble my putter saved me."

Victory in this four-round tournament, which is jointly part of the Tour De Las Americas, would go a long way towards helping McEvoy regain his playing card for the full European Tour for next season.

Places on the main tour go to golfers who finish the season in the top 15 on the Challenge Tour merit list.

He lost his card for this after just one season - despite collecting prize money of 88,000 euros in 2004.