Simon Dyson returns below-par round at Joburg Open where Chris Hanson sets off more fireworks

MALTON'S Simon Dyson shot a one-under-par 70 in the second round of the Joburg Open over the West Course at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC.
Malton's Simon Dyson (Picture: PA).Malton's Simon Dyson (Picture: PA).
Malton's Simon Dyson (Picture: PA).

But the six-time European Tour winner was facing another missed cut in his second event back following a seven-month break, during which he had surgery to repair a slipped tendon in his left wrist.

His 74 around the East Course on Thursday means he finished one over for the two rounds, with the cut at that stage projected to be three under.

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But he will take away the positives of having carded six birdies and an eagle, the latter at his closing hole on day one.

He was undermined by an average of a bogey every four holes, but confidence seems certain to grow with more appearances.

Hull's Richard Finch, who withdrew after just seven holes in last week's BMW SA Open, added a 75 over the West Course to his opening 78 on the East.

Needing a round in the mid-60s to stand a chance of advancing to the weekend, any faint hope had gone after a bogey at the first was compounded by a double at seven.

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He birdied the ninth, a bogey at 11 was exacerbated by a double bogey at 12, although a second birdie of the round came at 15.

Leeds's Daniel Gavins also set off on the West needing a low score after his first-round 77, but stood six over for the event after a bogey at the third.

Huddersfield's Chris Hanson was moving himself into position to be Yorkshire's only weekend representative for the second tournament running.

And the Woodsome Hall man put on another display of fireworks, as he had in the BMW SA Open.

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There he closed his second round with four birdies and an eagle in his last five holes.

On Friday, after bogeys at four and five on the East Course he responded with four birdies in a row.

Seven pars followed as he began the homeward run - having opened with a one-under 70 at the West - and a birdie at the 17th moved him to four under overall.

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