BJORN OF TRUE LOVE
Champion Olesen hails partner
AN EMOTIONAL Thorbjorn Olesen thanked partner Lauren for her love and support after his “incredible” comeback victory at the Betfred British Masters.
The former Ryder Cup star fought his swing for 16 holes before a dramatic eagle-birdie finish earned a first DP World Tour win since 2018.
Olesen went on trial for a sexual assault on a British Airways flight in 2019 – and was suspended from golf for a year – before being cleared in court last December.
Fighting back the tears after a 73 secured a one-shot victory, the world No.376 said: “There are so many emotions – it has been extremely hard.
“Luckily I’ve had some great people around me, especially Lauren (above), and that kept me going.
“It’s been really tough and that is why this one feels special. Sometimes I thought I’d never win again – even play again.
“Lauren has been the biggest one but also my mum and dad and my brother. They really stood behind me.
“To win like this is going to be with me for the rest of my life.” Olesen, 32, led by three shots overnight after finishing his third round eagle-birdie. But he hooked his opening iron off the tee and was four-over after 16 holes before nailing a 29-foot eagle putt on 17 to tie the lead with Swede Sebastian Soderberg.
And Olesen clinched his sixth DP Tour title with a finish befitting the four Ryder Cups staged here by sinking a 36-foot effort on the last. “I didn’t have my swing at all,” the Dane said. “I was struggling out there and hit a lot of shots to the left.
“I just kept fighting.What a finish – incredible.”
Richie Ramsay held the lead on the 18th tee but dumped his approach to the final green into the lake from 217 yards for a double-bogey as he wound up tied third.
“It’s probably the biggest kick in the teeth you are going to get in your career,” said the Scot. “I didn’t hit the shot I needed to, simple as that.”
Tournament host Danny Willett, who closed with a 71 to finish tied 16th, will learn today if he can play in the US PGA later this month after applying for a special exemption.