Olesen discovers the beauty and the brutality of the game
One minute “you’re the man”, the next you’re gathering your clubs and heading off home, or to the next tournament, having missed the cut. No-one says life on Tour is easy.
Twenty-five year old Danish player Thorbjorn Olesen experienced both the beauty and the brutality of the game during the Scottish Open at the Gullane golf course. On the opening day, he carded a brilliant new course record of 7-under par to take the outright lead on the ancient links which dates back to1882. The next day he needed seven shots more for his round – a swing of 14 strokes for the young Dane.
Ironically at 18.50 hours (Amsterdam time) on Friday, Olesen, leader of the Scottish Open after day one, found himself in 83rd place on level par after 36 holes and looking likely to miss the cut. Some players were still out on the course. At the end of the day, the cut came at two-under par with 83 players making the cut! Olesen was not one of them. He finished in a tie for 104th position with 13 other players. Perhaps one wee consolation for the young Dane was to see the likes of fellow countryman Thomas Bjorn, England’s Ian Poulter and a host of other top names behind him on the leaderboard.
As usual, a mighty field has gathered for the Scottish Open all keen to sharpen their game before heading off to The Open next week. Luckily for the players who have missed the cut at Gullane, there is not far to travel. The Open Championship is to be held at St Andrews, just up the road. Time to regroup, lick the wounds and get ready for the most-loved Major on the calendar.
Wendy Hoad