Dubai resident Thorbjørn Olesen returns to DP World Tour action this week at the Danish Golf Championship, where he is looking to take inspiration from compatriot Rasmus Højgaard.
This week’s start at Lübker Golf Resort marks Olesen’s first regular DP World Tour appearance since his emphatic win at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, where he set season records for lowest score and biggest winning margin as he romped to a six-shot victory at 27 under.
With a return to regular DP World Tour action on the horizon, the 34-year-old is hoping he can emulate Højgaard, who became the first Dane to win the tournament on home soil last season, much to the delight of the large vociferous crowds.
"Since this tournament came on it's always been a great week for us, especially for us Danes coming back home to play," said Olesen.
"I think also for all the other players it's been a great tournament, there's always been lots of people and the set up has always been really, really good.
"It's always been, since it came on, a dream to win here. Rasmus last year was incredible and a great finish to see him doing it and I think we really needed it. We'd been close but no Dane had won it before Rasmus so it was great to see him win it last year."
While Olesen is only playing his fourth regular DP World Tour event of the season, that’s not to say he hasn’t been busy with events around the world.
In fact, the eight-time DP World Tour winner has been playing predominantly on the PGA Tour after securing his playing privileges last season, while also featuring in three Major Championships, a Rolex Series event and the Olympic Games.
Olesen didn’t do enough in his limited PGA Tour starts to retain his card for next season, but is hopeful a return to familiar surroundings, coupled with his Olympics experience, will help set him up for a strong finish to the season on golf’s Global Circuit.
"I played in 16 in Brazil but this one was just incredible, the atmosphere that was there on the golf course reminded me of the Ryder Cup - it was so good," he said.
"Obviously you want to try to win a medal and we came up short of that, but it was a fantastic week and it showed golf in a different perspective and I think that's really good for the sport, overall it was an incredible week.
"I've been over there (PGA TOUR) most of this year but I'm happy to come back here to the DP World Tour, I love playing here and I'm going to be playing here the rest of this year and hopefully try and get that card back, that would be great.
"I've missed it a little bit for sure and I'm excited to play all these events in Europe with so many great weeks coming up."
