Hanson secures Ryder spot

Swede Peter Hanson became the eighth member and fifth new cap in Europe’s Ryder Cup team today when he did what he had to do in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

Hanson, winner of last week’s Czech Open, needed a top-43 finish to guarantee a debut at Celtic Manor and, when birdies at the 15th and 17th helped him to a closing 73, he was certain to be in.

“It feels great – tonight I’m going to celebrate and tomorrow as well,” said the 32-year-old. “I just tried to take it one shot at a time.

“I was very tired and was trying not to think about making the team, but I felt a little bit of pressure and those birdies felt great.”

At three over for the day and level par for the tournament after 14 holes, he was outside where he had to be if Simon Dyson won the title, but he rolled in a 20-footer on the 15th and two holes later struck an eight iron to two feet.

Meanwhile, Francesco Molinari was still one ahead of his brother Edoardo after five holes.

Francesco is another of Colin Montgomerie’s debutants, while Edoardo is in contention for a wild card – and would strengthen his claims no end by winning.

Dyson was joint second after a birdie on the second, but bogeyed the next two. He would still make the team if he won and Miguel Angel Jimenez was outside the top nine, but Jimenez had moved into a tie for third while Dyson was sixth.

Edoardo Molinari took over the lead when he birdied the short sixth and his brother three-putted the next.

Francesco did it again on the next and although Edoardo also missed a three-foot par putt he remained one in front at nine under.

Jimenez was joint second, but Dyson’s four pars in a row meant he was only two back and still had everything to play for.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson set the clubhouse target of seven under with a 69. It was the first sub-70 score of the day to underline how difficult conditions were, but for that he three-putted the 17th for bogey and the long 18th for par.

The Molinaris both took six on the 618-yard 18th, but with Frenchman Gregory Bourdy dropping a shot on the 11th at the same time Edoardo still led by one.

Jimenez was one behind, but Dyson’s hopes were fading as he bogeyed the ninth and 10th and fell three back.