Peter Hanson learns from time atop Masters leaderboard

Waking up with the 54-hole lead in the 2012 Masters Tournament is something Sweden’s Peter Hanson will never forget.

“It’s special, I can’t deny that,” Hanson said. “Of course, I was very nervous stepping up to that first tee (on Sunday), playing with Phil (Mickelson). I was lucky to play with Phil the first few days as well, which helped me get into that position.”

Entering Sunday at the Masters with a one-shot lead on Mickelson following a third-round 65, Hanson slipped to a final-round 73 and wound up tied for third with Mickelson, Matt Kuchar and Lee Westwood.

That foursome finished two shots out of the playoff between eventual champion Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen. It also left Hanson thinking he might have let his first major title get away.

“It’s a little bit of an opportunity lost,” Hanson said. “Every time you come into a major with a lead, I think it’s like that. But it was the first time for me being in contention in a major. I finished pretty good at Congressional (the 2011 U.S. Open where he tied for seventh), but I never really felt I had a chance at winning then.

“This was a great learning experience being out there in the last group and I’d give an arm and leg to get in the same position again.”

After missing the cut in his first Masters appearance in 2011, Hanson enjoyed a roller-coaster ride last year. Hanson opened with 68 that had him one shot off the first-round lead and then ballooned to a 74 in the second round.

He came back with the third-round 65 — the second-lowest round of the week behind Bo Van Pelt’s final-round 64 — before opening the final round with a bogey that dropped him from the lead.

“I think I learned a lot about myself,” Hanson said. “What part of my game really didn’t hold up to the pressure. I think I got a little bit defensive with the putter and around these greens, even though they’re quick, you have to hit the putt. You can’t dribble them up there.

“I missed quite a few opportunities on the front nine and even on the back I gave up a few pretty good chances.”

Hanson would love nothing more than another chance to be in the final group this week, contending for his first major title. He’s had a strong, yet abbreviated start to the 2013 season, posting one top 10 and four top-25 showings in the five tournaments he’s played.

But he’s also dealt with nagging injuries in his neck and back that sidelined him for three weeks and still require rehab exercises. Still, he’s eager for the week at Augusta National.

“I’m pretty happy with my game, actually,” Hanson said. “I came off a small injury and played four rounds of pretty solid golf last week in San Antonio. I had a bit of a slump on Saturday, but came back with a 66 on Sunday and that was nice to get a really good round coming into here. It builds some confidence and gets me going for this week.”