Peter Hanson moved into the top ten in the Race to Dubai following his dramatic victory in the KLM Open, and the Swede is determined to head to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai from November 22-25 with a chance of overhauling Rory McIlroy for the top spot.
Hanson, who will be part of the European Ryder Cup Team in a fortnight, eagled the final hole at Hilversumsche Golf Club to finish two shots clear of Pablo Larrazábal and Richie Ramsay.
The victory – his fifth European Tour title – moved him up from 12th to eighth position in The Race to Dubai, with earnings of €1,682,094 so far this campaign.
Although he remains €1,131, 869 behind McIlroy, Hanson believes he can still mount late challenge to catch the World Number One and US PGA Champion, or at least break into the top ten on The Race to Dubai for the first time, thereby qualifying for a share of the US$3,750,000 Bonus pool.
“My game is getting better and better and it was such a confidence boost to win just two weeks before the Ryder Cup,” said Hanson, who was fourth in last year’s championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates and 13th on The 2011 Race to Dubai.
“I’ve moved up quite a bit in The Race to Dubai as a result of this victory and if I can put myself in a position towards the end of the year to maybe have a chance of reaching the top guys like Rory and Justin Rose that would be fantastic.
“I’m going to play a lot on The European Tour all the way up to the Dubai. I’m playing the Dunhill Links and the two in China leading up to the finale in Dubai. I’ve played in the Tour Championship every year since it started and I’m really looking forward to putting myself in a position where I can maybe go all the way this time.
“The tournament is such a big thing for us. With the kind of purse we now have, everyone shows up to play and it is great fun to be part of.
“I’ve been in the top 20 on The Race to Dubai for a couple of years now and hopefully this year I can make it into the top ten and grab a little bit of that bonus pool. I will be working hard over the next few weeks to get ready for the Ryder Cup and then I will continue after that to be ready for the end of the season and Dubai.”
Robert Karlsson was the last Swede to finish as Europe’s Number One in 2008, the year before the launch of The Race to Dubai. He was succeeded by Englishman Lee Westwood, winner of the both the inaugural DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and Race to Dubai. Germany’s Martin Kaymer then claimed the Race to Dubai crown in 2010 followed by Englishman Luke Donald last year.
