• KLM Open, Round Four

Hanson wins KLM Open despite off-course concerns

ESPN staff
September 9, 2012
Peter Hanson played with ample distraction during the final round of the KLM Open © PA Photos
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A sleep-deprived Peter Hanson showed magnificent determination to win the KLM Open on Sunday, bringing him success three weeks before the Ryder Cup at Medinah.

Hanson, one of Europe's automatic picks for the international team event, found himself in a final round battle with Pablo Larrazabal at Hilversumsche Golf Club, but he eagled the last hole to snatch victory. The Swede completed on 14-under for the tournament, his closing 67 enough to topple Larrazabal's score of 12-under.

The tournament will have been of secondary importance to Hanson, who had been granted exemption from the ban against the use of mobile phones so that he could keep updated on the health of his one-year-old son, who is struggling with a respiratory virus.

Hanson revealed he only stayed at the KLM Open because his son is highly contagious, but said he got 30 minutes' sleep on Friday night.

''The doctors said that when they cough, it could be just so easy for me to pick up the virus, and that's the last thing I need going to Medinah [for the Ryder Cup],'' Hanson said. ''It's just so tough as my mind is over in Florida with my wife and children."

No doubt playing for his son - who is said to be improving, Hanson started solidly enough on Sunday, progressing to two-under for the day as he approached the 13th. However, back-to-back bogeys then handed Larrazabal a two-stroke advantage, which quickly disappeared when he bogeyed 16 after Hanson had birdied 15.

They entered the final hole on level terms, but a magnificent eagle from Hanson at the par-five 18th ended thoughts of a play-off, in what was a clinical way to win a tournament.

Long-time leader Graeme Storm's week ended in disappointing fashion, signing for a 73 to finish on nine-under. Scots Richie Ramsay and Scott Jamieson finished ahead of Storm on 12-under and 10-under respectively.

Elsewhere, Olazabal's captain's pick Nicolas Colsaerts failed to make an impression as he carded a 70 to finish six strokes off the pace, while Martin Kaymer hit his second 71 of the week to slip to five-under.

Darren Clarke, Oliver Fisher and David Lynn all completed on three-under, while Paul Casey got back to par for the overall tournament.

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