Hanson turns up Ryder Cup heat on Casey

Sweden’s Peter Hanson turned up the Ryder Cup heat on Paul Casey even more today by taking a share of the lead three times at the Czech Open in Celadna.

Casey is not playing this week or in the final qualifying event at Gleneagles next week and will lose the ninth and last automatic spot if Hanson wins on Sunday.

That would put the former world number three into a fight with Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald, Justin Rose and possibly Italian World Cup winner Edoardo Molinari as well for the three wild cards in Colin Montgomerie’s side.

Hanson, who received a late invitation to the Prosper Resort after reviving his cup bid with an eighth place finish at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational two weeks ago, resumed one shot behind Indian Shiv Kapur.

He birdied the 428-yard 11th, his second hole of the day, and long 16th, but each time followed with a bogey.

Another birdie, though, swiftly came on the 453-yard 18th and that moved him alongside not only Kapur, but also fellow Swede Fredrik Andersson Hed, who turned in a four under 32.

Kapur was part of a notable double overnight, his fellow countryman Arjun Atwal being the first round pacesetter with a 61 at the Wyndham Championship on the US Tour.

Biggest move in the early stages came from English amateur champion Tommy Fleetwood on his professional debut.

After a disappointing opening 75 the 19-year-old from Southport went to the turn in 31 and improved from 87th to 14th.