Double winning Ryder Cup star, Peter Hanson believes Europe could be an even stronger force under Paul McGinley than compared to victorious captains, Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal.
Hanson played under both Monty and Olazabal but earning just one point from his five matches including a Medinah Singles defeat at the hands of Jason Dufner, who finished one shot better at nine under par on day three of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
In the 11 days since McGinley was appointed 2014 Gleneagles captain there’s a strong sense that it’s not only Europe’s leading players delighted with McGinley’s appointment, but with still seven months to the start of qualifying the entire European Tour is already behind the Dubliner.
Double Ryder Cup star, Peter Hanson believes Europe could be an even stronger unit under Paul McGinley than Monty or Olazabal. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“I would agree that in the time since he was appointed everyone on the European Tour is excited Paul was named captain and everyone on the Tour already has his 100% support,” said Hanson.
“Paul just has that ability to make everyone around him feel good and while you can’t deny the USA Team have a strong captain in Tom Watson, and despite Tom being so popular in Scotland having won four of his five Open’s in Scotland, the American team could be up against it given the support we’ve seen already for Paul.”
Hanson will become only the second Swede, along with Jesper Parnevik, to compete in three Ryder Cups should he make McGinley’s team.
And after Hanson’s critical ‘no Christmas card’ comments in being over-looked by Olazabal for play in any of the Saturday matches at Medinah, he’s already expecting a more ‘open’ captain under McGinley.
“I’m so happy for Paul and he’s appointment is so well deserved,” said Hanson.
“What he’s done on the back stage and in the team room at the last two Ryder Cups has been fantastic.
“He’s very analytical and just knows so much what is required in captaining a team.
“But if I was to single out his best quality it’s his positive personality because he’s a person that puts anything concerning himself way to one side and only thinks about the team.
“Paul is going to be very different from Monty and Jose Maria because he will be a lot more open with the players and discuss a lot more team issues with the players.
“Of course, we are talking about three different personalities but then from how much I’ve been around Paul he’s a lot more open-minded, and he’s a very, very good listener.
“So it’s not only going to be a great team but Paul will be a great team leader.”
England’s Chris Wood headed into the final round with a three shot lead after shooting a third round 64 and move to 15-under par.
