Peter Hanson hopes to utilise home advantage at this week’s Nordea Masters at Bro Hoff Slott.
The Swede last won on home soil in 2008 at Arlandastad, and The Ryder Cup is hoping to give the galleries something to cheer once more after recent victories for Alex Noren and Richard S Johnson.
“It’s obviously very nice to come back home so I’m looking forward to the week,” said Hanson, who sat out of last week’s BMW PGA Championship with a back injury.
“I had a decent chance last year, but Lee Westwood was just too good in the end.
“The course suits longer hitters – you’ve got a bit of room off the tee. If the wind is up it’s a very tricky course. As soon as you play in front of your own crowd – and I don’t spend that much time in Sweden any more – it’s very nice.”
Hanson’s Ryder Cup partner Miguel Angel Jiménez believes the course may be slightly too long to play to his strengths, but few would rule out the Spanish veteran after he finished tied fourth at Wentworth Club in only his second event since returning from a broken leg.
“The golf course is fantastic,” said The European Tour’s oldest winner. “It’s a beautiful place, although it’s a little bit too long for me.
“It’s ten years since I played here. The weather is nice, and it’s nice to play here in a beautiful city like Stockholm.”
England’s Paul Casey is another to go into the event in good form, having shot a brilliant 64 at Walton Heath to qualify for the US Open.
“The US Open is something very special, it’s a strange feeling having to qualify so that is odd, but I think I’m going to really appreciate this one having gone through the qualifying process,” he said. “I saw Michael Campbell’s picture in the clubhouse reminding that a qualifier can win the US Open.
“I’ve got a good control of things right now and it’s great to be knowing that the hard work is starting to pay off and there is more to come.”
