Chris Hanson will tee-off at the British Open today determined to fly the flag for Huddersfield – and the Huddersfield Giants!

The 28-year-old Woodsome Hall tour professional will become the first golfer from the town in 20 years to compete in one of the world’s greatest sporting events when he gets under way at Hoylake at 11.05am.

Hanson will be joined on the tee by opening-round partners Oscar Floren from Sweden and Japan’s Yoshinobu Tsukada, aiming to take the Royal Liverpool course by storm and moving a step closer to the midway cut and a guaranteed £12,100 pay-out.

But one of his pre-tournament objectives has already been achieved during the practice rounds, with the profile of the town and the Giants having been raised – much to the delight of his biggest fan, wife Laura.

As the head of the Huddersfield Community Trust, one of Laura’s main tasks is to help raise the profile of the Super League club.

And she knows her husband is proving her major asset right now.

“I’m so proud of Chris and what he’s achieving in the sport,” said Laura, who was with Chris at practice day yesterday and is being joined by Chris’s mother, her parents and her brother Chris to follow her husband around the course today.

“It’s every golfer’s dream to play in the British Open, and all of his family were absolutely thrilled when he qualified.

“I know how nervous we’ll all be when he’s standing on the first tee, but his form’s really good at the moment and we’re confident he’ll do extremely well.

“But whatever happens, he’s already done the town of Huddersfield proud. He’s helped raise the profile, and also helped raise the profile of the Giants and rugby league in general, which has been a real bonus out of his qualification.

“As well as being fans of Chris, which is pretty obvious to say, we’re all massive rugby league fans and fans of the Giants.

“Chris is a big Giants fan, too, and he’s that proud of his club that he’s had the club logo placed on the front of his golf bag, which we hope will be there for all to see on national television over the next few days.

“But the badge has already captured the imagination of his fellow golf professionals.

“Many of the world’s top stars have been asking him what the badge is all about, and Chris has been keen to educate them about the club and the sport.

“As someone whose job is to raise the Giants’ profile, I think he’s doing a pretty good job on my behalf!”

Laura knows, however, that a top Open performance and the possibility of staying around for the full four days is the biggest dream for the Hanson family.

“Chris and myself have been together since we were 14 and were at Salendine Nook School,” added Laura.

“He was obviously an incredibly talented golfer by then, but at that stage I don’t think anyone ever dreamed he’d be playing at the Open.

“It’s arguably the most famous golf tournament in the world, and that was brought home to us as soon as we arrived at Hoylake the other day.

“The atmosphere around the course is absolutely unbelievable, we’ve never experienced anything like it before.

“And to have access to the same areas as the world’s most famous golfers is something we’ll never forget.

“What was amazing for me was yesterday when I took our two-year-old daughter Jess to the creche, and she was playing with the children of the golfing household names.

“To be honest, I could get used to all this!

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to experience all this again next year, when we’ve got another addition to the family.

“Our second child is due in November, and it would be great to think our new baby could be born in the year when Chris really makes a name for himself by starring in the British Open!”

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