Peter Hanson attributed his excellent Masters Tournament start to the experience he gained while challenging for last year’s US Open Championship.
The 34 year old Swede, who finished seventh behind Rory McIlroy at Congressional last year, opened with a four under par 68 at Augusta National.
That was only one behind first round leader Lee Westwood, and Ryder Cup star Hanson believes his first top-ten finish in a Major played a big part in giving him the confidence to do well.
“I love the US Open,” said Hanson, who is making only his second Masters appearance.
“I think that's the kind of golf course that sets up the best for my kind of game. I need to get a bit more comfortable around the greens here, chipping and maybe learn a little bit from Phil and Ollie and the guys that are really good at that kind of game. But I feel I'll slowly get better and better, and hopefully I can feel comfortable out here tomorrow, as well.”
Hanson had six birdies and two bogeys in his round, playing the difficult Amen Corner in an impressive two under par.
“It was fantastic today,” he added. “The course was playing soft, but we were last off and the greens were holding up very nice, and I was kind of afraid they were going to get spiked up a little bit with all the rain we had the last couple days, but they held up just beautifully, and you could roll the ball well.”
Hanson was not the only Swede to play well, Henrik Stenson reached six under par before an unfortunate finish to his round.
A mishit drive at the last ended up among the pine trees, he topped his third, left a chip on the fringe and three-putted for a quadruple bogey eight and 71 total.
"I had made two great eagles, hit some great second shots and made a putt on two par‑5s on the front nine and obviously kept it together," said Stenon. "I made some good saves, and I even chipped in once for par and really kept it together. But after 11 I didn't hit one fairway off the tee, and that's obviously going to cost you at some point. Even though I didn't expect it to cost as much as it did on 18."
