Hanson hot on McIlroy’s trail

Dubai: Sweden’s Peter Hanson is determined to mount a late challenge on the Race to Dubai, having moved to within the European Tour’s top ten cash-earners, with victory in the KLM Open last weekend.

The win sets him up for the season-ending $8 million (Dh29.37 million) DP World Tour Championship, at Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course, from November 22-25, for the chance to catch merit leader Rory McIlroy — the current World No 1 and US PGA Champion.

Hanson, who will be part of the European Ryder Cup Team in a fortnight, eagled the final hole at Hilversumsche Golf Club to finish two shots clear of Pablo Larrazábal and Richie Ramsay.

It’s his fifth tour title, moving him up from 12th to eighth position in the merit list, with earnings of €1,682,094 so far this season.

Although he remains €1,131,869 (Dh5,314,000) behind McIlroy, Hanson believes he can catch the Ulsterman, or finish top ten in the race for a share of the $3.75 million bonus pool.

“It was such a confidence boost to win just two weeks before the Ryder Cup,” said Hanson, who finished fourth in last year’s championship, 13th on the money list.

“I’ve moved up quite a bit in The Race to Dubai as a result of this and if I can put myself in a position towards the end of the year to maybe have a chance of reaching the top guys that would be fantastic.

“I’m going to play a lot on The European Tour all the way up to Dubai. I’ve played at the Earth course every year since it started and I’m really looking forward to putting myself in a position where I can maybe go all the way this time.

“I’ve been in the top 20 on The Race to Dubai for a couple of years now and hopefully this year I can make it into the top ten and grab a little bit of that Bonus Pool. I’ll be working hard over the next few weeks to get ready for the Ryder Cup and then I’ll continue after that to be ready for the end of the season and Dubai.”

Free tickets to the event available by registering online at www.dpwtc.com.