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Thorbjørn Olesen produced one of the most dramatic climaxes to a golf tournament at last year’s British Masters with a stunning eagle-birdie finish to return to the winner’s circle for the first time in four years.
The 32-year-old Dane entered the final round at The Belfry with a three-stroke lead but that soon disappeared after a two over par front nine, before another pair of bogeys at the 14th and 15th left the prospects of a first title for four years unlikely.
However, Olesen holed a 28-foot eagle putt on the par five 17th hole to draw level with Sebastian Soderberg, who had earlier set the clubhouse target at nine under par, before going one better than the Swede on the 18th as he converted a 35-foot birdie putt in front of a packed grandstand to seal victory and send the 15,000-strong English crowd into raptures.
The victory was the former Ryder Cup player’s sixth on the DP World Tour and first since the 2018 Italian Open, which set him on the path to make his debut for Team Europe later that year.
“It was obviously a pretty tough day and hit a lot of shots to the left,” he said.
“I was really struggling. I somehow just kept going, and yeah, what a finish. Incredible.
“Standing on 17, I’m thinking can I make birdie, birdie and maybe get into a play-off. Obviously when I got the chance on 17, I preferred to take that. 18 is a tough hole, so par is a good score obviously. I just gave it everything.
“It’s obviously a massive tournament. It’s always been, so many great champions here. It’s a privilege to get your name there. Just always the great support you get in Britain. The crowds have been amazing from Thursday and onwards. Got so much support. So I’m really happy.”
Scottish duo Richie Ramsay and Connor Syme shared third place with South African Justin Walters on eight under par, with 2021 Challenge Tour graduates Chase Hanna, of the United States, and Germany’s Hurly Long a shot further back in a tie for sixth.
Eighth place was shared by eight players, including Ryan Fox and 2014 Ryder Cup player Jamie Donaldson.
If this week’s tournament produces just half of the drama we saw in the closing holes last season, we’re in for a treat!
