Golf: Hanson places doubt in the minds of Ryder Gang of Four

Europe's "Gang of Four" have been given something to think about not just by how Swede Peter Hanson played at the Czech Open yesterday, but also what he said afterwards.

Paul Casey, Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald and Justin Rose have left their Ryder Cup fate in the hands of others after not entering either of the last two qualifying events.

Casey is in the ninth and last automatic spot, but will drop to tenth if Hanson wins the Czech Open - and he resumed this morning only a stroke behind Indian Shiv Kapur after a five-under-par opening round of 67.

Harrington, Donald and Rose are already relying on one of captain Colin Montgomerie's three wild cards, although Harrington and Donald could still qualify if they seek a late invitation to next week's Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

Hanson did just that to play in the Czech Republic.

He said: "If you have a chance to make the team, or especially if you want a pick, it might be good to play."

English trio Simon Dyson, Oliver Wilson and Ross McGowan are also still in with a chance of claiming a spot against the Americans and made the trip to the Prosper Resort in Celadna.

Dyson birdied his last four holes for a 70, Wilson shot 72 and McGowan, 11th in the race, started and finished with double bogeys in his 73.

Miguel Angel Jimenez is the other cup contender in the field. He stands eighth but could drop a place if Hanson lifts the 272,640 title and is four strokes behind him.

Kapur led by a shot overnight from not only Hanson, but also Argentina's Tano Goya.

On the US Tour, Arjun Atwal was a surprise leader at the end of the first round of the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina after the world No.?450 shot a nine-under-par 61.

The 37-year-old Indian equalled the course record at the Sedgefield Country Club with a flawless round which included nine birdies.

Atwal holds a two-shot lead over former champion Brandt Snedeker with a group of six players a shot further back.

With most high-profile players absent, last year's US Open winner Lucas Glover was the most notable name in the group of six players tied for third.

Scotland's Michael Laird was the best of the European players after he shot a three- under-par 67.