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Thorbjorn Olesen holds the Dunhill Cup on the Swilken Bridge. PA Wire/PA Images
Great Dane

Thorbjorn Olesen claims Alfred Dunhill Links Championship victory

Paul Dunne and Shane Lowry finished in a tie for 19th.

TALENTED DANISH YOUNGSTER Thorbjorn Olesen kept his nerve down the stretch to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday at St Andrews for his third victory on the European Tour.

The 25-year-old becomes the youngest Dane to win three EPGA events, as he protected his overnight three-shot lead to come home two strokes clear of American pair Brooks Koepka and Chris Stroud.

He fired a solid one-under final round 71 to finish on 18-under for the tournament and is the first Danish player to win the prestigious event.

The best of the Irish? Shane Lowry and Paul Dunne both ended up in a tie for 19th.

The Clara man hit a five-under 67 today while the less-experienced Dunne went around in 70 today.

Dunne had been within a shot of the lead over the weekend before seeing that slip away yesterday. He’ll still surely be happy with his few days’ work in Scotland.

Five players were a further shot back than Olesen on the Old Course in eastern Scotland including Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren, Chris Wood of England, Frenchman Benjamin Hebert and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger.

“It feels very special and I’m very emotional right now,” said Olesen as he cradled the giant trophy awarded to the champion.

“It’s been a really tough year but it’s unbelievable to win here at St Andrews and something that dreams are made off,” added the Dane, who will see his world ranking catapult to about number 75.

“I started badly but when I won my first tournament I started badly as well so I just told myself to be patient and keep making pars. Then I sank that amazing (50ft) putt on 15 which gave me a cushion.

“Sixteen and 17 are two tough golf holes and it was breezy and cold but I played them well, made two good shots and two good putts at 17, so it was nice to go to the 18th with a two-shot lead.

“As I said, it’s been a really tough year and to hold this trophy is unbelievable. There are a lot of people behind me, my coaches and my family, so I have to say a big ‘thank you’ to all of them,” concluded the Dane.

- © AFP, 2015

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