“Bernhard Langer had a six foot putt to win The Ryder Cup at Kiwiah Island in 1991 – do you want that putt this coming Sunday?” Søren Hansen looked his interrogator straight in the eye and answered instantly: “Of course I do – that’s why we are all here, it’s what I have been dreaming about since I was a kid.
“I used to do it all the time when I had those putts on the practice green back home when I was a kid. I used to say to myself ‘this one for The Ryder Cup’, and when I made it I would imagine that I had won The Ryder Cup for Europe. That is my dream.”
Hansen may well get to live out his dream. The Dane may be making his Ryder Cup debut at Valhalla Golf Club this week, but anyone who knows anything of the man’s character and ability would have no problem in seeing the 34 year old in such a position.
Of course, the putt may well stay above ground, but, like Langer did in 1991, Hansen would stand tall and go home with his head held high, knowing he had given everything for his teammates, his Captain and his Continent.
But knowing the steely determination that lies within the second Danish player to play at The Ryder Cup, the ball would bury itself in the hole. The 34 year old has been one of The European Tour’s most consistent players for many a season, and with two European Tour victories under his belt, knows a thing or two about playing under pressure.
Yes The Ryder Cup is a new level of pressure, but spend a few minutes talking to him about the week ahead and you will find a man with total belief in his ability to stand up and be counted.
“I can't wait for Friday, to be honest with you,” said Hansen. “As I said to some of the other guys, it's something you dream about for your whole life and all of a sudden you're standing there. It feels great and it's a great atmosphere. I said to Sergio today on one of the holes, I said, ‘where is all the spectators?’ He said: ‘Oh, they will come, they will come.’ I just can't wait to tee off really. I can't wait to get the show going to be honest.”
