There is a special reason why Peter Hanson has the number ’17’ on his golf ball and also has ’17’ on his golf bag.
’17’ is important to Hanson as it’s the birthday, 17th November, of his only son, Tim.
Tears welled in Hanson’s eyes as he dedicated his KLM Open victory, and his first Tour success in two years, to his hospitalised young son.
Hanson sensationally eagled the final hole in a round of 67 to win by two shots with a 14-under par tally on the Hilversumsche course.
Peter Hanson dedicates his KLM Open success to young son, Tim. (Photo – www.golfsupport/golffile.ie)
The 34-year old Swede edged out Scotland’s Richie Ramsay (67) and Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal (70) who shared second place on 12-unde par.
However Hanson had been on the verge of withdrawing from the centenary event after his near two-year old son Tim had been rushed to the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital on Friday suffering a severe respiratory problem.
Doctors immediately isolated the youngster, who turns two in November, fearing others contracting the respiratory virus, and advising Hanson he would be better off remaining in Holland.
Hanson came from a shot behind heading into the last day before sinking a 35-foot eagle putt on the 18th green to capture his fifth Tour win but a first since victory in the 2010 Czech Open.
“It has been an up and down week with my little son ill in hospital, so it just puts golf in to perspective,” he said.
“The last five or six weeks, I have been preparing and working on things in my game so that I will be 100% when I go to the Ryder Cup.
“Then with Tim being taken to hospital on Friday it takes your mind off golf a little bit,” said Hanson.
“You also don’t think straight when a family may be ill as they are the most important thing.
“I had been on the phone every hour to my wife, and she was the one convincing me to stay but hopefully now when I get home to Orlando Tim will be a little better and also out of hospital and back home.
”So in many ways this win is for Tim, and I am very much looking forward to seeing, but not getting too close as least to the virus has fully passed.”
Hanson earned a first prize cheque of Euro 300,000 for his fifth Tour victory that has also seen him jump four places to eighth on the Race to Dubai money list.
Hanson’s victory is the fifth for the European Team since Rory McIlroy’s PGA Championship success.
Scotland’s Paul Lawrie cemented his place in the Team with a success at Gleneagles while Spain’s Sergio Garcia then captured the Wyndham Championship.
And McIlroy then won for a third time this year on the PGA Tour in capturing the Deutsche Bank Championship.
“I have been watching the golf from the States in the evenings and Lee (Westwood) is playing well, Rory (McIlroy) has been playing fantastic, Ian (Poulter) and Graeme (McDowell) and Sergio (Garcia) also winning has been good for the Team,” said Hanson.
“So it feels like the team is playing well and everyone is trying to peak for the Ryder Cup.”
Ramsay will return to his Atlanta home later this week have finished second a week after winning in Switzerland.
The 29-year old Scot, who will be married on 21st September, has now moved to 17th on the Race to Dubai money list.
“A sixth in Scotland, a first last week in Switzerland and now sharing second here in Holland, is another great wedding present,” he said.
And England’s Richard Finch jumped 36 places to share eighth place on seven under par after holing his second shot for an albatross ‘two’ as the 18th hole.
The former Irish Open winner hit a 6-iron from 213-yards out in a round of 64.
