DP World Tour; 2023 Thailand Classic Results
Thorbjørn Olesen cruised to his seventh DP World Tour title as an exhibition of frontrunning saw him win the 2023 Thailand Classic by four shots.
The Dane went into the final round with a two-shot lead before making birdies at the first, second and sixth to stretch his advantage early on.
Six successive pars in the middle of Olesen's round allowed his countryman and playing partner Nicolai Højgaard to close the gap to two strokes once more, but the 33-year-old responded with a hat-trick of birdies from the 13th to move five clear with three holes to play.
And he safely parred his way home to sign for a bogey-free 66 and finish the tournament on 24 under par.
The win continues Olesen's fine record of converting 54-hole leads into victories, having now achieved the feat six times on the DP World Tour.
Germany's Yannik Paul finished alone in second place on 20 under after closing his 68 with a birdie.
Joost Luiten and Alexander Knappe were then in a tie for third another two shots further back.
Olesen got off to a fantastic start on Sunday, sending his approach at the first to around four feet before tapping in for an opening birdie.
He followed that up with another gain on the second and then moved to 21 under with a five-foot birdie putt at the sixth.
Olesen had to settle for pars on the next six holes before getting his fourth birdie of the day at the par-three 13th, rolling in from around 20 feet to restore the three-shot lead he had held at the turn.
He then sent his approach to a similar distance on the 14th before holing from long range once again to climb to 23 under.
And he made it three birdies in a row from close range on the par-five 15th before making a good par save at the 16th, having missed the fairway with his tee-shot.
After a long wait at the 17th tee, Olesen safely found the island green before two-putting for par and he also parred the last to keep his card clean.
Olesen, whose previous victory had come at last year’s Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett, was delighted to return to the winner's circle.
He said: "It's very special. Obviously the British Masters win was incredible, with my family, and it had been a long time since I won the last time.
"But equally this one, all the hard work and all the sacrifice from my wife. It's really nice."
Olesen was pleased with his performance on Sunday, adding: "It felt really good today, felt steady, I felt like I was in control and I just enjoyed playing golf today, which was very nice."
Meanwhile, Olesen's fellow Dane Oliver Hundebøll won a BMW iX xDrive40 after he made a hole-in-one at the par-three 13th on his way to a closing 67.
eropeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit)
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