Hansen relishing Ryder bow

Hansen: Ryder Cup debut

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Soren Hansen has expressed his excitement about making his Ryder Cup debut and is very optimistic Europe will maintain their hold on the trophy at Valhalla.

The Dane played himself on to Nick Faldo's side following a consistent season on the European Tour and is this week aiming to retain the Mercedes-Benz Championship crown that he won 12 months ago.

Hansen produced a sizzling showing last year, producing two eagles on the back nine of his final round as he cruised to an emphatic four-stroke victory.

The 34-year-old, who will become the second Dane to play in the Ryder Cup after Thomas Bjorn, admits he is determined to put up a strong defence in Cologne, but already has one eye on next week's match in Kentucky.

"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," he stated ahead of the first round at Gut Larchenhof on Thursday.

"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."

Three of Hansen's Ryder Cup team-mates are also in action at Gut Larchenhof this week; Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson and Graeme McDowell.