Thorbjorn Olesen

Thorbjorn Olesen's Early Life and Background

Born on December 21, 1989, in Furesø, Denmark, a town just north of Copenhagen, Thorbjørn Olesen's path to golf wasn't entirely preordained. While his father introduced him to the sport at the tender age of seven, his early sporting passion lay on the soccer field. A die-hard fan of FC Copenhagen and Manchester United, Olesen dreamt of a professional football career.

This athletic drive translated well when he eventually shifted his focus to golf at 15. Olesen decided to turn professional in 2008 at the young age of 18.

Today, Olesen is Denmark's most successful golfer, accumulating eight DP World Tour wins, including prestigious titles like the 2016 Turkish Airlines Open and the 2018 Italian Open.

Thorbjorn Olesen's Amateur Career

Unfortunately, there isn't much information about Thorbjorn Olesen's amateur career publicly available. He turned professional in 2008 at 18 years old; therefore, his amateur career was not extended much beyond that timeframe.

Thorbjorn Olesen's Professional Career

Olesen turned pro at 18, and just a year later, in 2009, he claimed a significant victory by securing three wins in the Nordic Golf League, a regional developmental tour. This success, coupled with a strong 4th place finish in the rankings, earned him a coveted spot on the European Challenge Tour for 2010.

The following year the Challenge Tour proved fruitful. In 2010, Olesen secured his first professional title at the "The Princess" event in Sweden. His consistent performance throughout the season landed him a third-place finish in the year-end rankings. This impressive result granted him a full exemption (Category 10b) for the prestigious DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) in 2011.

His debut season on the DP World Tour in 2011 was promising. Olesen made a strong impression with a tied-second place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, showcasing his potential to compete at the highest level. The following year, 2012, marked a significant turning point. Olesen clinched his first DP World Tour victory at the Sicilian Open, a defining moment that propelled him into the spotlight. This success was further bolstered by a tied-9th place finish at the Open Championship, demonstrating his ability to thrive against the world's best golfers.

In 2014, he donned the European colours for the EurAsia Cup, a team competition against golfers from Asia. That same year, he added another trophy to his collection with a victory at the ISPS HANDA Perth International in Australia.

2015 saw Olesen return to the winner's circle at the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, a co-sanctioned event by the European Tour and the Sunshine Tour. The following year solidified his team's playing prowess. Partnering with Søren Kjeldsen, Olesen led Denmark to victory at the World Cup of Golf, a significant international achievement. His collaborative skills further shined in 2017 when he teamed up with Lucas Bjerregaard to claim victory at the GolfSixes event.

2018 marked a pinnacle year in Olesen's career. He delivered an exceptional season, securing his fifth DP World Tour title at the Italian Open. His consistent performance throughout the year culminated in a coveted spot on the European Team for the Ryder Cup, the biennial team competition against the United States.

In 2022, he reclaimed his winning touch by capturing the Thailand Classic by a convincing margin, marking his seventh DP World Tour title. His recent victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship further cements his position as a prominent player on the DP World Tour.

Standing at eight DP World Tour victories, a Ryder Cup appearance, a World Cup win, and a GolfSixes title, Thorbjørn Olesen is turning out to be one of the most fierce names in the sporting world.

Thorbjorn Olesen's Playing Style

Olesen is known for a powerful, controlled swing that generates a good distance off the tee. This allows him to attack longer courses and reach par-5s in two more frequently. Accuracy with his irons is another key strength. Articles describing his game often mention his ability to hit greens in regulation consistently, giving him more birdie opportunities. Having overcome challenges on and off the course, Olesen also appears to possess a strong mental fortitude. This is crucial for success in high-pressure situations like the Ryder Cup. Lastly, his success in team events like the World Cup and GolfSixes highlights his ability to adapt his game and collaborate effectively with teammates.

Thorbjorn Olesen's Caddie

Thorbjørn Olesen relies on the experience and steady presence of Dominic Bott as his caddie. Bott, a Tour veteran with over 25 years under his belt, has guided several golfing greats throughout his career. Names like Colin Montgomerie, Paul Casey, Lee Westwood, and even fellow Dane Thomas Bjørn have all benefitted from Bott's expertise on the course.

The partnership between Olesen and Bott began in mid-2015, and it has proven fruitful. Since joining forces, Olesen has collected some of his most impressive wins. This includes three DP World Tour titles (Italian Open 2018, Betfred British Masters 2022, Thailand Classic 2023) and the prestigious honour of representing Europe at the 2018 Ryder Cup.

Articles credit Bott's extensive experience and calm demeanour with playing a significant role in Olesen's on-course success. Their well-honed working relationship is a valuable asset for Olesen, providing a steady source of guidance and support as he navigates the pressure-packed world of professional golf.

Thorbjorn Olesen's Golf Journey

Born on December 21, 1989, in Furesø, Denmark, Thorbjørn Olesen's path to golf stardom wasn't immediate. While his father introduced him to the sport at the tender age of seven, his early sporting passion was on the football pitch. An avid fan of FC Copenhagen and Manchester United, Olesen dreamt of a professional football career. However, this athletic drive seamlessly transitioned to golf when he switched at 15 years old.

At the young age of 18, Olesen took a bold step, turning professional and setting his sights on a career in golf. 2009 marked a turning point. Marking his debut season on the DP World Tour in 2011, Olesen tied for second place at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, showcasing his potential to compete at the highest level.

In 2012, Olesen clinched his first significant professional victory on the DP World Tour at the Sicilian Open. This landmark win propelled him into the spotlight and made him a player to watch. To further solidify his talent, he secured a tied-9th place finish at the Open Championship, demonstrating his ability to compete with the world's best golfers.

In 2014, Olesen donned the European colors for the EurAsia Cup, a team competition against golfers from Asia. This year, he also claimed another DP World Tour title at the ISPS HANDA Perth International in Australia. And the following year, Olesen revisited the winner's circle at the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. This victory held extra weight as the event was co-sanctioned by the European and Sunshine Tour.

Olesen's ability to excel in team settings truly shone in 2016. Partnering with Søren Kjeldsen, he led Denmark to victory at the World Cup of Golf, a significant international achievement. Later that year, he further strengthened his resume with another DP World Tour title at the Turkish Airlines Open. Olesen displayed his collaborative skills once again, teaming up with Lucas Bjerregaard to claim victory at the GolfSixes event.

2018 marked a pinnacle in Olesen's golfing journey. He delivered a career-best season, securing his fifth DP World Tour title at the Italian Open. His consistent and exceptional performance throughout the year earned him a coveted spot on the European Team for the Ryder Cup, the biennial team competition against the United States.

Olesen recaptured his winning form by capturing the Thailand Classic by a convincing margin, marking his seventh DP World Tour title. Olesen's competitive spirit continues to burn bright. His recent victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship further solidified his position as a prominent player on the DP World Tour, showcasing his continued growth and ability to perform at the highest level.

Thorbjorn Olesen's Achievements

Individual Victories

DP World Tour (8):

Team Accomplishments:

Professional

• World Cup (representing Denmark): 2011, 2013, 2016 (winners), 2018

• Seve Trophy (representing Continental Europe): 2013 (winners)

• Royal Trophy (representing Europe): 2013 (winners)

• EurAsia Cup (representing Europe): 2014

• Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 2018 (winners)

Other Accomplishments:

• 2018 (European Team)

• Challenge Tour Title (1)

• The Princess (2010)

Thorbjorn Olesen's Majors

Thorbjorn Olesen's Ventures

Thorbjørn Olesen's sponsorship portfolio includes a strategic mix of equipment and apparel brands. Headlining his equipment is a well-established deal with TaylorMade, who provide him with the latest clubs to power his drives and control his irons. For his on-course attire, Olesen recently signed with Galvin Green, a brand known for its performance apparel designed for golfers. Interestingly, there have been confirmed reports of a Nike sponsorship as well. While Nike has a strong presence in the golf apparel and footwear market, Olesen seems to have found a comfortable fit with Galvin Green.

Thorbjorn Olesen's Wife

Thorbjørn Olesen keeps his family life relatively private, but there are some confirmed details about his wife, Lauren Olesen (formerly Zafer). The couple wed in 2020 after a romantic proposal during a trip to Tignes, France.

Lauren appears to be a pillar of support in Olesen's life, and they have welcomed two young children together. Their son, Cooper, entered the world in April 2021, followed by their daughter, Sienna, in August 2022.

While details about Lauren's profession or personal life are scarce, occasional glimpses on social media and at tournaments show that she enthusiastically cheers on Olesen from the sidelines, celebrating his victories and sharing in his golfing journey.