Anders Hansen could feel rightfully proud in achieving his best-ever result in a Major despite falling one shot shy of a Trans Atlanta PGA double first.
The 40-year old Dane posted a final round 66 to finish in third at seven under par and just a stroke from the play-off.
Hansen was competing in his 20th Major Championship with a prior best of 12th in the 2007 PGA Championship at Southern Hills.
Anders Hansen on route to a 'proud' third place in the PGA. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
The Dane, who was looking to become the first Scandinavian golfer to win a Major, commenced the final round at three under par and crept closer to the leader board with birdies at the third and sixth holes.
The double winning BMW PGA champion then ignited his challenge to become the first-ever golfer to win both the European Tour’s flagship event, and also the season’s last Major, with back-to-back birdies at the 11th and 12th holes.
However Hansen’s charge to the top then stalled when he bogeyed the 16th but he bounced straight back with a super birdie at 17 before a par at the last to grab third on his own.
“I’m very proud of myself as I did what I set out to do,” said Hansen.
“I thought seven under would be good enough, but if I could push to eight under, it might have a good chance.
“So I’m very happy with the way I played this week, and it’s just been a tremendous week for me.
“This has been a huge experience for me you set out looking to find out how are you going to cope under the pressure, especially coming down the last nine, and under the enormous pressure, so you don’t know how everybody is going to handle it.
“But I think I handled myself quite well. I hit a lot of quality golf shots, and I’m quite happy.”
Hansen’s effort, on top of that of Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, who shared fourth place at five under par, has capped another remarkable season for the European Tour.
Hansen was heading straight for Atlanta Airport and a flight to Zurich where he now lives.
