Top Danish golfer Anders Hansen ended a 20-year European Tour career with just one minor regret that he did not represent Europe in a Ryder Cup.

Hansen turned his back on a long professional career last Sunday after posting a final round 69 to share 22nd place in the Portugal Masters at Vilamoura.

David Williams, Chairman of the European Tour Board of Directors then presented the 45-year old Dane with a gift pack of a wine decanter and wine on the occasion of Hansen’s 420th and final Tour event.

The Holte-born Hansen joined the Tour in 1996 after a successful amateur career capped by two Danish Amateur Stroke-Play Championship victories and two wins while at the University of Houston.

Hansen capped his professional career winning the BMW PGA Championship in 2002 and 2007 at Wentworth and joining the late Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer as the only non-British golfer to win the Tour’s flagship event more than once.

European Tour Chairman David Williams presents Anders Hansen with a farewell gift after playing 321 Race to Dubai events. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)

He captured a third Tour title winning the 2009 Joburg Open and in the same year savoured success in the Vodacom Championship on the Sunshine Tour. Then in April 2014 after a six-month absence due to a wrist injury Hansen returned to finish second at The Championship in Singapore.

Hansen enjoyed another 10 second place finishes, nine thirds and 39 other top-10s and with total European career earnings of Euro 12,143,737.

He represented Denmark eight times in the World Cup of Golf and played in two Seve Trophy teams while his lowest round was a 62 during the 2003 German Masters.

In the Majors, Hansen’s best finish was third in the 2011 PGA Championship that earned him a World Ranking career high of No. 23.

However with two of three children and 20 years of constant travel Hansen will tackle a new challenge in property development.

“I had been thinking of retiring from the Tour last year but then this year I set out wondering if I wanted to continue or not and to be honest, I am no longer enjoying the travelling plus I have other things going on,” he said.

“So for me to be able to continue compete at this level I need to put more effort into my game but I just don’t have the time for that.

Anders Hanson lifts the first of two PGA Championship trophies at Tour HQ.

“Then having to put in the time to practice is just selling myself short and beside I have three children aged nine, 12 and 17 and I want to be able to spend more quality time with them.

“But then in looking back on my career I am very proud of my achievements and I worked very hard to achieve what I achieved.

“Of course, I would have liked to have won more tournaments but then golf is not always up to you as you can out and play your best and other things happen so that you don’t end up winning.

“In looking back if my short game had of been a lot sharper I may have won more but all in all, I am quite pleased, and if someone had told me 20 years ago how your career would look 20 years ahead I would have of been pleased.

“No doubt the proudest moments of my career was winning twice at Wentworth and that third place finish in the PGA Championship.”

However having played team competition when an amateur and then also enjoying World Cup and Seve Trophy experience as a professional Hansen’s one regret was not to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup.

Anders Hansen wins for a second time at Wentworth holding aloft the BMW PGA Championship trophy.

“I would have liked to play in the Ryder Cup as I think I have played in every other tournament possible,” he said.

“But as I said it’s been a great career and I leave the European Tour very pleased and very happy.

“I leave also with the European Tour in a better place with the new CEO Keith Pelley who is a good choice even though it should have happened a few years ago, so I’m confident he will be able to lift the Tour going forward.

“And what make me extremely proud is that Danish golf is a very good position with a new generation of really, really good players.

“There was a time many years ago when there was just four of us but now it seems like there is a steady flow coming onto the tour and competing and holding onto their cards which is great.”

TRIBUTES TO ANDERS HANSEN FROM HIS FELLOW DANES

Thomas Bjorn – (15 Tour victories, 3 Ryder Cups)

Thomas Bjorn and Anders Hansen have been friends since they were both 14-years of age.

“I’ve known Anders since we were 14 years old as we were foursome partners and room-mates in Danish amateur teams,” said Bjorn.

“Anders is a complex figure in a lot of ways but also a really good guy, and an unbelievable talent.

“And what many don’t remember is he leaves the Tour with two PGA Championship wins which is some feat.

“He probably could have achieved more than he accomplished but he’s had a great career but then in recent years Anders hasn’t enjoyed the last couple of years with the travel getting to him and you can totally understand he wants to spend more time with his family.

“But there’s no denying Anders has done so much for Danish golf and while there is a divide in the experience in Danish golf between the likes of Anders, the two Soren’s (Soren Kjeldsen and Soren Hansen) and myself compared to the up-and-coming guys such as Thornbjorn (Olesen) Anders can be very proud of his contribution to Danish golf.”

Soren Kjeldsen – (4 Tour victories including 2015 Irish Open)

“Personally, it’s too early for Anders to be leaving the Tour as he’s still a really, really good player but then he’s made his decision and I know will miss him as I’ve spent 20 years out here with him.

“Anders has always been a really consistent guy and you always speak to him and you knew what you were always going to get as he told the truth.

“Anders was very much one of the pioneers for Danish professional golf along with Thomas (Bjorn), Soren (Hansen) and myself so he can be proud of the 20 years he’s given in promoting Danish golf.”

Thorbjorn Olesen – (3 Tour victories including 2015 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship)

“Anders has meant so much to Danish golf and he will be a big loss not only to Danish golf but European golf.

“Along with Thomas (Bjorn), Soren Kjeldsen and Soren Hansen, he was one of my mentors growing up and I have learned so much from him, and he’s been such a big part of my own career.

“We also have been good friends well before I came onto the Tour but given he’s been out here for 20 years, and if he wants to leave then it’s up to him.

“So I will miss his company as we have shared a lot of evening meals together so all of us miss that.

“And he leaves the Tour with Danish golf in a very good state and you only have to look at the crowds that attended this year’s Made in Denmark event to realise that.”