Olesen making a strong case for Ryder Cup spot in France
On-form Thorbjorn Olesen is set to be one of Russell Knox’s main rivals if the pair are among those vying for a Ryder Cup captain’s pick early next month.
Olesen is now just outside the eight automatic spots on fellow Dane Thomas Bjorn’s team after closing with a 64 to finish joint-third behind Justin Thomas in theWG CBridges tone Invitational on Sunday.
Heading into this week’ s 100th US PGA Championship at Belle rive Country Club in St Louis, Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood occupy those berths off a European points list.
On a world points list, meanwhile, RoryMcIlroy,J on R ahm, Alex Noren and Paul Casey are on course to make the team for the 28-30 September clash at Le Golf National outside Paris.
O les en, who has now chalked up four top -six finishes, including a win in the Italian Open, in his last seven events is the next best on each of those lists among the players in those automatic places.
Knox, who will be hoping that his second-place finish behind Noren over the Ryder Cup course in the French Open will weigh in his favour if he has to rely on a pick, is next after Olesen on the European points list.
Bjorn is set to announce his four pick son Wednesday, 5 September – three days after the final counting event, the Made in Denmark.
Meanwhile, Thomas sealed his place in Jim Furyk’ s US team in style by cruising to a four-shot success in theWG CBridges tone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
BrooksKoe pk a, Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed,Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Webb Simpson are currently in the other automatic spots in a race that ends on Sunday after the US PGA Championship.
Phil Mickelson is tenth in the points table while Furyk’s vice captain Tiger Woods is 20th.