CHRIS HANSON has made the cut in the Joburg Open in South Africa.

The 30-year-old tour pro attached to Woodsome Hall added a three-under par second round to his opening one-under score to be four under heading into the weekend play.

It’s a third cut made in four events played since Hanson became a full Tour cardholder, and he’ll be hoping to hit even better form to pick up as many Rands as possible by tomorrow’s finish.

Playing the East Course for his second round – he was on the West for his opening 18 – Hanson dropped two strokes in the first five holes.

But he powered back after the second of those bogeys to fire four birdies in succession to reach the turn in 35 shots.

He then played seven holes in succession to par before getting his only birdie of the inward nine at the par four 17th.

Hanson Tweeted: “Pretty good fightback from a poor start with four birdies on the spin!

“Plenty of chances down the stretch, but have to be happy with 69 (-3).”

While spending Christmas at home with wife Laura and daughters Jessica and Olivia, Hanson also visited Oulton Hall to see coach Mark Pearson.

“We had a great catch up – I’d not actually seen him since gaining my card at Tour School, so a big ‘man hug’ was in order!” said Hanson.

“A lot of people have believed in me for a long time, and Mark’s certainly kept me very motivated and kept me believing when times have been tough.”

He prepared for South Africa in three sessions with Pearson and two with Rachael Tibbs, his fitness coach.

Originally in the reserve list for the SA Open at Glendower GC, he found out before flying he’d made the starting draw.

In the absence of Steve Tooby, he was working with caddie Waleed, who lives at the course, and helped him to finish the second round with figures of minus six for the last five holes to make the cut.

The sequence was: 9 iron to 3ft on 14th for birdie; par 5 15th, 3 iron to 30ft for eagle, wedge on 16th to 4ft for birdie, 5 iron into the par 3 17th to 6ft fpr birdie and, finally, 15-yards short of the last green pitched in for birdie!

That moved him up to 20th in the tournament, but he conceded: “The next two rounds were a battle and I gave away too many simple shots.

“It’s hopefully another big lesson learned and one I can take forward.”

Hanson is delighted AZ INTEC have committed to continue their support for the 2016 season.

“I can’t thank Andy and Dianne enough and I’m delighted to be wearing the AZ INTEC logo on my collar for my rookie season on the European Tour.”