Hanson reveals Ryder Cup hurt

Peter Hanson has revealed his anger at being overlooked by Jose Maria Olazabal for Saturday's play at the 39th Ryder Cup

European Ryder Cup player Peter Hanson has revealed his hurt and disappointment at being excluded from Saturday's play by European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

The Swede, who won the KLM Open three weeks before the Ryder Cup, played only 14 holes over the course of the first two days, suffering a 5&4 defeat alongside Paul Lawrie against Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson in the Friday fourballs.

And Hanson, who was the only member of the European team to record no points at Medinah Country Club, admitted after the first round of the Dunhill Links that his anger at what transpired in Chicago still hadn't subsided.

"I might not send him any Christmas cards this year," said Hanson, after being asked about Spaniard Olazabal.

"The Ryder Cup hurt my confidence a bit, especially the first couple of days.

"I came in there full of confidence after the win in Holland and played really well during the practice rounds. When I didn't get to play more than 14 holes in the first two days, that really got to me and I was very disappointed on Saturday."

Hanson was only told he wouldn't be involved 20 minutes before the start of the Saturday four balls. He had already played some practice holes and marked the pin positions in his notepad.

"That's probably why I got so upset. I was already in game mode. I just wanted to get out there and win some points," he said.

"I didn't take it very well, but I took it for myself. I didn't let it go out over anyone else. I just locked myself in a dark room and stayed there for a couple of hours. I didn't damage the team and that was the main thing.

"Having come into the Ryder Cup playing so week, winning and preparing myself for six weeks and the not getting to play - it hurts for a while.

"I haven't spoke with Ollie about it since. We didn't have the time and I didn't want to bring it up when we were celebrating."

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x