Olesen survives slump to clinch Turkish Airlines Golf title

Dane, Thorbjorn Olesen, survived a dramatic slump in form yesterday to win his fourth career European Tour title with a three-shot victory at the Turkish Airlines Open.

The 26-year-old Olesen went into the final with a seven-shot lead following the 65, 62 and 68 he made in the first three rounds, but he almost squandered the advantage yesterday, as the chasing pack, led by England’s David Horsey, closed in.

He responded with vital birdies on the 12th, 14th and 15th on his way to a closing 69 to finish 20 under par and claim the first prize of nearly $1.2 million.

Horsey and China’s Li Haotong shared second place on 17 under after matching rounds of 65, with Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger two shots further back in fourth.

Yesterday’s victory gave Olesen $1.54 million out of the $7 million prize money, as well as his fourth European Tour success.