Hansen focusing on defending title before making his bow at Ryder Cup

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Soren Hansen admits he cannot wait to make his Ryder Cup debut next week, but first comes the significant distraction of defending his Mercedes-Benz Championship title.

Hansen produced a brilliant display 12 months ago to claim his second European Tour title, carding two eagles on the back nine in his final round to complete a four-shot victory in Cologne.

It was the win which sparked his ultimately successful bid to qualify for the European side which will seek an unprecedented fourth straight victory at Valhalla next weekend, and the Dane is itching to get started.

Soren Hansen is eagerly awaiting his Ryder Cup debut next week

'There is a lot of talk about next week but this is a tournament I really like, it is on a good golf course which is in great condition and I just want to play well and defend well,' said Hansen, the second Dane after Thomas Bjorn to feature in the Ryder Cup.

'That is the mindset I am trying to tell myself all the time, that this is a tournament and it's not all about next week but, to be honest, I can't wait for the Ryder Cup.

'I think we are going to come together as a team. I'm pretty sure of it. We all have that picture of lifting that trophy and bringing it back home on that plane, and I'm just so positive about everything about the Ryder Cup.'

Hansen was among the later starters in today's first round at Gut Larchenhof, with many of the star attractions in the 78-strong field also afforded a lie-in.

Three of Hansen's team-mates were also chasing the £270,000 first prize, with Graeme McDowell, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Robert Karlsson out in the final two
groups of the day around 1pm local time.

Five players shared the early lead on one under par, including France's Thomas
Levet and South African James Kingston.