Hanson tied for lead at Mottram

Craig Housden produced his best round of the season to share the lead after the opening day of the latest event in the 2011 PGA EuroPro Tour season.

Housden (Channels, Chelmsford) shot an opening round of 67 (-5) in the Network Veka Classic at De Vere Mottram Hall in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

After finishing tied 26th and 47th in the first two events of the season, Housden then missed the cut at the next seven tournaments and withdrew during his first round earlier this month at Lingfield Park.

However, he found his form on the first day of the 11th competition with a round that included an eagle at the last and birdies at the first, fifth, sixth and ninth.

He is well-placed to claim the £10,000 winner’s prize, although a bogey at the 13th denied him an outright lead at the end of the opening day.

While Housden is enjoying his best performance of the year, joint leader Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall, Huddersfield) has maintained his incredible run of form that has seen him top the Order of Merit and already secure a place on next season’s Challenge Tour.

Hanson, who is aiming for his third event victory of 2011, is also on five-under after an eagle at the fourth, birdies at the first, seventh, ninth, 15th and 18th and bogeys at the 13th and 17th.

Luke Goddard (Hendon) has enjoyed an incredible run in August having come tied second at Formby Hall in Merseyside and then winning at Lingfield Park in Surrey.

He is in contention again as he is alongside Housden and Hanson on five-under after a round that included six birdies and a bogey.

Andrew Willey (Notts) and Jon White (Saunton, Devon) are among those a shot back on four-under with Willey aiming for his second win in four events after triumphing at the Players Club in Bristol last month.

A total of 24 players are within two shots of each other and it promises to be a thrilling tournament.

All the players will play a second round on Thursday and after that the top 50 players plus ties will advance to the final round on Friday.

Matchroom Sport will produce a two-hour highlights package from this tournament which will be broadcast on Sky Sports on Wednesday, September 7.