Hanson hopeful over Ryder Cup spot

Europe’s “Gang of Four” have been given something to think about not just by how Swede Peter Hanson played at the Czech Open yesterday, but also what he said afterwards.

Paul Casey, Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald and Justin Rose have left their Ryder Cup fate in the hands of others after not entering either of the last two qualifying events.

Casey is in the ninth and last automatic spot, but will drop to 10th if Hanson wins the Czech Open – and he resumed this morning only a stroke behind Indian Shiv Kapur after a five under par opening round of 67.

Harrington, Donald and Rose are already relying on one of captain Colin Montgomerie’s three wild cards, although Harrington and Donald could still qualify if they seek a late invitation to next week’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

Hanson did just that to play in the Czech Republic.

He said: “If you have a chance to make the team, or especially if you want a pick, it might be good to play.”

English trio Simon Dyson, Oliver Wilson and Ross McGowan are also still in with a chance of claiming a spot against the Americans and made the trip to the Prosper Resort in Celadna.

Dyson birdied his last four holes for a 70, Wilson shot 72 and McGowan, 11th in the race, started and finished with double bogeys in his 73.

Miguel Angel Jimenez is the other cup contender in the field. He stands eighth, but could drop a place if Hanson lifts the £272,640 title and is four strokes behind him.

Kapur led by a shot overnight from not only Hanson, but also Argentina’s Tano Goya.