Thorbjørn Olesen is producing the form of his career after a strong week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational saw him climb the Race to Dubai Rankings. The Dane finished in a share of third in Akron, Ohio, and now sits in sixth place in the season rankings. This gives him a fantastic opportunity of challenging for the Race to Dubai title at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 15th-18th.
As well as this week’s fine result at Firestone Country Club, where he earned 510,000 Race to Dubai points, Olesen finished in a share of sixth at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation and joint-second in the BMW International Open to catapult up the standings. The 28 year old will also feel he has a realistic chance of being on the plane to Paris when The 2018 European Ryder Cup team is confirmed by compatriot and captain Thomas Bjørn.
Olesen has competed in the last seven DP World Tour Championships, with his best result a share of 12th in 2014. His strongest finishing position in the Rankings was also 12th in 2016, but he looks destined to surpass that this year after a strong summer.
"It was nice to have a good finish here," said Olesen after posting rounds of 71, 67, 68 and 64. "We go every week to try and win, obviously, and that's the focus. It's the last Major next week and I would love to play well and have a good result."
Reigning Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood finished in a share of 14th in Ohio, moving from fourth place to third in the overall Rankings. Matt Kuchar also finished on the same score as Fleetwood and is set to make his DP World Tour Championship debut later this year, with compatriot Xander Schauffele, runner-up at last month’s Open Championship, also heading to the Middle East.
Rory McIlroy, who won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in 2014, came close to lifting the title again, finishing in a tie for sixth and climbing up a spot to fourth in the Race to Dubai.
England’s Ian Poulter finished in a share of tenth after being joint-second going into the final round, but he moves from 32nd to 27th in the Rankings.
The Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways ran alongside the tournament in Akron, with India’s Gaganjeet Bhulla winning his first title on tour.
This week’s Race to Dubai tournament is the US PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club near St Louis.
