CHRIS HANSON could face a Thursday night dash from Northumberland in bid to maintain his successful run on the Yorkshire professional scene at the Yorkshire PGA matchplay championship at Alwoodley on Friday.

As one of the top 60 in the EuroPro Tour rankings, Hanson is part of a strong Yorkshire contingent contesting the £50,000 Championship at Slaley Hall, Hexham, which starts on Tuesday and completes on Thursday.

The Woodsome Hall man reached the last four of the Yorkshire matchplay, winning his delayed quarter-final against Spencer Edwards by 4&3 at Alwoodley, which keeps alive his chance of topping the final Yorkshire PGA Order of Merit.

He might have had to miss that opportunity, for the Europro Tour Championship was scheduled to be staged in Egypt. It was said “political reasons” forced the need for a new venue and Slaley Hall got the vote.

Having accounted for Edwards, a teaching professional at Acanthus Golf, near Tingley, Hanson set up a semi-final date with Andy Rhodes, from Keighley, at Alwoodley on Friday (8.00am). The other semi-final (8.10am) pitches Selby’s Nick Ludwell, the title holder, against Huddersfield’s Robert Kershaw, the professional at Mirfield Driving Range. The final is at 1.00.

The matchplay will decide who is crowned Order of Merit champion, a title also held by Ludwell.

Walton Golf Centre’s Adrian Ambler currently leads the merit race from Neil Cheetham – the Yorkshire Open champion did not enter the matchplay – with Hanson in third place.

Ambler earned 50 points for reaching the last eight of the matchplay – he was beaten 2&1 by Ludwell – and is on 670 points. Should Hanson, with two Yorkshire majors, the Classic and Masters to his name, win the matchplay and collect 200 points, he will pip Ambler for the title by five points.

The birdies flew thick and fast as Hanson beat Edwards.

“It was a good game with lots of birdies between us,” said Hanson, who grabbed the lead after four holes then was pegged back to all square after seven. He added: “I managed to get in front, play solidly and at the end I was five under par. That sort of form would do nicely on Friday.”