Olesen holds off Dubuisson rally as Drysdale snatches tour card
DENMARK’S Thorbjorn Olesen survived a final-round wobble to win the Perth International yesterday and guarantee his place at the lucrative season-ended DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Olesen saw his three-shot overnight advantage trimmed to just one by Victor Dubuisson, but birdies at 13 and 15 restored his cushion and swept the 24-year-old to his second European Tour title.
Ryder Cup star Dubuisson was second on 14 under par, with England Mark Foster third, two shots further adrift.
“It was tough – they were not easy conditions today – but it was worth it,” said Olesen. “That walk down 18 was beautiful. It’s been a couple of years since I won last time, so this gives me a lot of confidence and belief for the last bit of the season.”
Scotland’s David Drysdale sank a 30-foot birdie at the last hole to finish tied for fourth and secure his European Tour card for another season at the last opportunity.
Englishmen Matthew Nixon and Anthony Wall also booked their places on the circuit, but countryman Lee Slattery and David Lynn fell agonisingly short. They finished 112th and 113th in the Race to Dubai rankings, with only the top 111 retaining their cards.
This week’s BMW Masters in Shanghai marks the start of the four-event Final Series which culminates in Dubai next month.