With preparations for The Ryder Cup occupying much of his time, Peter Hanson was pleasantly surprised to make an encouraging start in the KLM Open.
The 34 year old Swede carded five birdies and a solitary bogey in an impressive 66 that put him one shot off the early lead at Hilversumsche GC.
In addition to trying to claim the fifth European Tour title of his career, Hanson's focus is also on ensuring his game is ready for Medinah
He has been devoting plenty of hours to practice in the lead-up to his second Ryder Cup appearance, and explained: “You try not to think too much about the result this week.
“You want a good result as you want to build confidence but sometimes it is too much to ask to practice that much and get a really good result.
“The main purpose is to get everything in place and work hard. It is more like a practice week back home when you spend ten or 11 hours each day on the course.”
Hanson has recorded six top ten finishes on the European Tour in 2012, but believes there is room for improvement.
“(I’ve been) up and down over the summer,” he added. “I had a very good start with a lot of top fives, then it was slow, and then I finished third in Sweden (at the Nordea Masters).
“The (US) PGA (Championship) was where it started to go better and last week (in the Omega European Masters) there was a lot of practice as well.
“I didn’t get the result that I wanted and I’ve just been working on my weaknesses, which is the drive and three wood off the tee; that cost me a lot.”
Returning to the subject of The Ryder Cup, Hanson, a member of the victorious European Team at Celtic Manor in 2010, concluded: “It is going to be so much fun and I am really looking forward to playing an away match.
“Last time we had so much support and it will be great to see the other side of that.”
