Race to Dubai challenger Peter Hanson is being encouraged by the European Tour to remain in Asia and take it to World No. 1 Rory McIlroy in the handful of events remaining this season.
Hanson again put himself into contention for victory after an opening score of 66 in the $7m WGC – HSBC Champions event in Shenzhen and just four days after sealing victory in the BMW Masters in Shanghai.
Peter Hanson is being encouraged by Tour CEO, George O’Grady to ‘spice-up’ the Race to Dubai by competing in next week’s Barclays Singapore Open. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
The Orlando-based Hanson is among a group of players, including the Masters winning pair of Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson, trailing only a stroke behind the leading duo of 2010 Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen and prolific-winning Aussie and 2012 Open runner-up, Adam Scott.
While McIlroy is taking the week off supporting tennis girlfriend, Caroline Wozinacki in the WTA season-ending event in Sofia, Bulgaria, Hanson knows that victory in China, and just across the border from Hong Kong, will put him ahead of the absent World No. 1.
Hanson is luke warm in adding next week’s $6m Barclays Singapore Open to his schedule where if he did tee up at Sentosa he will face McIlroy after denying him victory and relegating the 23-year old Ulster golfer to a ninth career bridesmaid role on the European Tour.
However Hanson also has been on the road for three weeks having also played in the Asian Tour’s India Open, and while European Tour CEO, George O’Grady wants the 2012 Race to Dubai to go right to the final round of the final event later this month in Dubai, Hanson also is keen to return to his young family in Florida.
“I said to George that I wanted to wait until Sunday just to see if I am in contention here in Shenzhen or not,” he said.
“But then the way Rory has been playing it’s going to be very hard to catch him while also I spoke to (Justin) Rose he and I both agree will need to do something stupid to go past him.
“My plan was always to spend two weeks back in the U.S. after three weeks over here.
“So at this stage I am not making any promises but if I was to finish top-three that could sway my decision.
“But while this is a great start shooting a 66 it’s also tough being away from the family back in Orlando.
“I know if Rory was to win the Race to Dubai and do what Luke (Donald) did last year and win the money list on both tours would be a fantastic achievement.
“But then winning the Race to Dubai was not one of my goals until last week and winning the BMW Masters was such a big event for me and a massive jump on the money list.
“So to see my name up there as second behind Rory has made sure there is no lack of motivation on my part to finish the season ahead of Rory.
“If I needed any motivation after the Ryder Cup then I have it now.”
