08 May 2022: Thorbjørn Olesen will bid for his first DP World Tour title in almost four years after opening a three-stroke lead at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett.
The Dane reached 11 under par in style with an eagle-birdie finish at The Belfry to sign for a three under par round of 69, which included a 122-yard hole-out eagle on the par four fifth hole, sending the English crowds into raptures.
Olesen’s last DP World Tour title came at the 2018 Italian Open, the year he made his Ryder Cup debut for Team Europe, and the 32-year-old has previously converted four out of five 54-hole leads in his DP World Tour career, including his only previous win on British soil at the 2015 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Overnight leader Hurly Long, of Germany, battled back from a three over par front nine to sign for a one over par 73 to join Englishman Marcus Armitage in a tie for second on eight under.
American Chase Hanna posted the low round of the day with a six under par 66 to take a share of fourth place on seven under par alongside Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard, Scotsman Richie Ramsay, South African Justin Walters and Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti.
Host Danny Willett carded a two over par 74, but made three birdies during the third round to take the running donation total up to £15,000 for the tournament’s Official Charity Prostate Cancer UK. Title sponsors Betfred have pledged to donate £1,000 for every birdie and £2,000 for every eagle Willett makes this week, with the 2016 Masters Tournament winner carding 15 birdies thus far at The Belfry.
Player quotes
Thorbjørn Olesen: “I didn’t expect that when I stood on the 16th tee. It was a very nice way to finish. Great shot on 17, and obviously a great putt here on 18.
“There’s a bit of a fight out there. I’m just happy I stuck in there and I kept being aggressive the whole way around.
“It’s been a long time since I holed a full shot, I think it was 122 yards from the right rough. Just a normal sand wedge, just ran out and it took a long time, but it went in in the end.
“I think I know how hard it is to win out here. It never comes easy. I think that’s important.
“I think my attitude today was really good. I think if I can keep staying aggressive and not worrying too much, that’s very important. Like I said, it’s always really difficult to win. You have to go out there and get it.”
