WOODSOME Hall professional Chris Hanson will be looking to complete a hat trick as he starts the latest round of the PGA EuroPro Tour at Fota Island near Cork today.
Hanson notched his second Tour success in three weeks after a play-off triumph took him to the title at Galgorm Castle, Northern Ireland.
With 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell among a crowd of more than 1,000 at the Ballymena course, Hanson edged out Graeme Clark in the second hole of a play-off after the pair had finished level on 14 under.
The event, called The Galgorm Castle Northern Ireland Open (in association with Ulster Bank), was the fifth of the EuroPro Tour season.
Hanson had gone nearly five years since his last EuroPro Tour victory before he triumphed at Bovey Castle last month and he has now won another £10,000 to take his season total to £21,800 and move to the verge of a spot on next year’s Challenge Tour.
“I’m just over the moon and financially this relieves the pressure and I can just play and enjoy it for the rest of the year,” said Hanson, who enjoyed a perfect third round that included an eagle at the third and five birdies.
“I’m playing as good as I’ve played, my concentration is better than ever before and my focus is what’s making such a big difference.
“Winning at Bovey gave me a massive boost and I’m just really relaxed at the moment.
“It would mean everything to play on the Challenge Tour and it’s what I’ve worked hard for six years as pro for, with that aim in the back of my mind all of the time.
“I don’t think I would have to do anything different and I think I could compete quite easily as the EuroPro Tour is strong at the top.”
