DENMARK’S Thorbjorn Olesen made it an all European affair at the 2014 ISPS HANDA Perth International, claiming a three shot victory over Frenchman Victor Dubuisson.
Taking a three shot lead into the final round, it was a mixed day for 24-year-old Olesen but he scrambled home to win the tournament with a total of 17-under 271.
“It was very emotional out there,” said Olesen. “It was up and down and I didn’t play my best golf, but I kept fighting and made some great putts there in the end.”
“I didn’t play my best golf these two days, and to keep fighting out there and keep believing in myself, I’m very proud of what I did there.”
He fired a final round of 1-under 71, which included three bogeys, more than in his first three rounds combined.
“I got off to a bad start there on the back nine. Made bogey on 10; missed a short birdie putt on 11; and then bogeyed 12. So that was like a three?shot swing really,” he added. “Then I saw I was only one shot ahead, so I knew I had to play some good golf coming in if I wanted to win.”
“I knew the last three holes were very tough, so I was trying to think about just making a couple of birdies on the next three or four holes and give myself a little lead.”
Walking up the 18th, Olesen had a comfortable three shot lead and was able to enjoy the atmosphere at Lake Karrinyup Country Club.
“When I hit my tee shot on 18. That’s where I felt like now I pretty much got it,” he said. “I hit a great second shot in there and then gave my caddie the fist pump. It was a good walk up 18.”
Winning the ISPS HANDA Perth International is the highlight of his season and ensures his place in the Race to Dubai Final Series.
“Before this week I was struggling. I was 64 in the ranking and I was not even sure if I was getting into next week. It’s a big relief and a big confidence boost to get into the last four events.”
Playing five groups behind Olesen, Frenchman Victor Dubuisson provided the champion with his greatest challenge.
“You never know what can happen in the last round. Guys playing in the last groups, they don’t play the same way that I played today,” said Dubuisson, who fired the round of the day, a 6-under 66. “Today I was very aggressive with my long game, it was really, really, really good.”
“I still missed a lot of putts that could have made the difference, but 66 is really a good round.”
West Australian Stephen Dartnall and Victorian Matthew Griffin finished the leading Australians tied 4th on 11-under 276 with Lucas Bjerregaard (DEN), David Drysdale (SCO) and James Morrison (ENG).
ISPS Handa Perth International Results
Perth International Results