CHRIS Hanson shot two under par 70 for a one stroke lead after the first round of the £50,000 PGA Europro Tour Championship at De Vere Slaley Hall.
The Woodsome Hall player began his round on the back nine and quickly moved to two under par after four holes. Bogeys at the 18th and second holes put him back to level par before birdies at the fourth and eighth saw him card one of just four rounds under par in tough conditions in the North East.
"I knew that a score around level would be good – so I’m pleased to have got in under par," said Hanson. "I was a couple under early on then dropped those shots. But getting an easy birdie at the fourth and another one at the eighth was pleasing and I hit a couple of good shots on the ninth to walk off two under."
