Hanson shares second round lead at Czech Open, increases Ryder Cup bid
Sweden’s Peter Hanson has a joint lead at the midway point of the Czech Open. The Ryder Cup hopeful is maintaining his charge for a position on Colin Montgomerie’s 2010 European Team after carding two-under 70 to tie with compatriot Fredrik Widmark at the Prosper Golf Resort on Friday.
Hanson received a late invitation to attend the Prosper Resort competition after his eighth place finish at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational two weeks ago. At the Czech Open he started his second round at the 10th hole, had four birdies including ones at the 16th and 18th holes and played well even though he also had two bogeys. The only thing that reflected poorly on his day was several easy missed putts, most notably the five-foot putt on his final hole, the ninth.
“I left four or five shots out there – I felt I could go really low," Hanson reflected. "I struck the ball very nicely again, but didn't make as many putts. But it was a good day and I am feeling good about my game. The last two weeks my form has been getting better and better and it's all about making those putts."
The European Ryder Cup standings won’t be finalized until after the Johnny Walker Championship next week, but if Hanson wins the Czech open on Sunday he will move up into the eighth position on the list, just inside the automatic cut off. Hanson is currently in 15th place on the Ryder Cup points list.
Hanson is not the only European contending for a Ryder Cup spot at this weekend’s tournament. Miguel Angel Jimenez is currently ranked eighth on the list. He opened with 71 and followed that up Friday with three-under 70. Simon Dyson of England shot 70 in his opening round but carded 69 on Friday and hopes to automatically qualify as well.
Hanson and others are taking advantage of the fact that some of Europe’s stronger players, Paul Casey, Luke Donald, and Padraig Harrington, are not contending in the last two European team qualifying events. Casey, Donald and Harrington have decided to play in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup play-offs instead of travelling back across the pond for the Czech Open and Johnny Walker Championship.
Montgomerie was disappointed that European players didn’t contend in as many home country-events. The process of selection for the European Ryder Cup team is based on the top five players on the world rankings and the top five on the European Tour money list. Since many players have chosen to participate in more American-based events, the European money list fields weaker players and thus the European Ryder Cup team could potentially field weaker players.
Montgomerie said he will consider players participating in the last European Tour events in higher regard for a captain’s pick should they fail to qualify on their own. Even if Hanson doesn’t win the Czech Open his shared lead and good finish at Bridgestone will have a positive reflect on his bid for a spot on the team.
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