Chris Hanson has opted to play in the Open de France on Thursday rather than final qualifying for The Open Championship.

While Meltham amateur Jamie Bower blazed a productive trail at Hillside – hoping to qualify for the Open at Royal Troon next month – Hanson was beginning preparations for the big-money French event at Le Golf National in Paris.

There is a 583,330 euros first prize on offer in France, with over 30,000 euros on offer to every player who makes the top 30.

“After 2014 and playing in the Open it’s something I wanted to do, but this week it’s a massive event on Tour, the French Open,” explained Hanson, who has moved up from 28th to ninth in his category and who finished 38th in the BMW Open in Germany following a three-under final round.

“Before the last round I was sixth reserve, and with the way entries work they hold spots back for anyone finishing top ten the week before who is not exempt.

“No-one managed to finish top ten, so then I had to wait for the email to say I’m in the French Open and I can prep and plan with no distractions from Open qualifying.

“It was a tough call to make, and there is a good argument for both playing and not playing, but me and my team have made what we feel this year is the correct decision.”

Bower, meanwhile, fresh from winning the Brabazon Trophy as English Amateur Strokeplay Champion, fired a superb three-under 69 in qualifying at Hillside and is well set up for the second round.

The 23-year-old is Tied 4th with three others and is only two shots behind leaders David Bransdon and Steven Robins (each five under) and only a shot behind third-placed Josh Loughrey.

Nick Marsh, the professional attached to Huddersfield, is among a group of players on two over par, Tied 29th, after a round of 74.

In the qualifier at Gailes Links, West End’s Adam Cryer is one over and Tied 19th, eight shots off the lead after a 72.

Howley Hall’s Marcus Armitage is in the qualifier at Woburn and fired a one-over 73, Tied 33rd, while Huddersfield amateur Josh Morton was Tied 66th after a seven-over 79.