Having missed out on securing his European Tour card by just one stroke at the 2009 Qualifying School – Final Stage, he embarked on his maiden Challenge Tour season. After a slow start he soon found his feet with a runner-up finish at the Mugello Tuscany Open, where he was edged out in a play-off by fellow rookie Floris de Vries. Six weeks later he secured his maiden Challenge Tour title at The Princess, holding off Bernd Wiesberger and Peter Gustafsson to prevail by two strokes. That sparked a run of form which saw him finish third, 14th and fourth in his next three events to secure his playing privileges on the 2011 European Tour International Schedule, where he will join his golfing idol and compatriot Søren Hansen, with whom he practises over the winter in Dubai. Won three times on the Nordic League in 2009 en route to fourth place on the Order of Merit to earn promotion to the Challenge Tour. Formerly known by his nickname Jacob, before changing back to Thorbjørn. Divides his footballing loyalties between FC Copenhagen and Manchester United.