Jacob Skov Olesen etched his name into the history books at Ballyliffin as he became the first Danish golfer to win the Amateur Championship.
The 25-year-old fended off a tough fight from a valiant Dominic Clemons in the 36-hole tournament over Glashedy Links and stormed to a 4&3 victory to clinch silver in a memorable debut at the Princes.
Along with lifting one of the most prestigious trophies in the amateur sport, Olesen's victory also earned him a release from The 152.n.d It opens at Royal Troon in July, the 2025 US Open and, traditionally, an invitation to the Masters Tournament next April.
In an impressive tournament, which provided a fitting end to six days of fierce competition in the north-west of Ireland, Olesen looked set to win when he birdied the 23rd.rd to a six-hole lead.
Clemons, who was 2-under after opening 18 holes in the morning, seemed to lose his composure as the game got away from him, but he recovered admirably to give himself a glimmer of hope during his run.
A 35-foot birdie putt on the 27thth reduced the deficit before driving to the green on the 370-yard 28thth to stop the chance of an eagle.
In a fun twist, Olesen opened up his bunker shot for a birdie to pile up his opponent, but Clemons responded to that fight and made his putt in two holes to squeeze one back.
University of Arkansas student Olesen went up five times, however, at 30th and get a lucky break on the 31stSt when his wayward ways end up lying he confesses on the nearest floor and he splits the hole.
Five under and five to play, and with defeat staring him in the face, Clemons kept the tournament alive with a powerful birdie putt on the green in 32n.d.
The 22-year-old's hopes of a big break have been dashed by 33.rdHowever, when he has to tell an unplayable lie after his driving gets into trouble.
Clemons recovered well and found the green, but he couldn't recover his par and Olesen had the luxury of two putts for the title.
The foundations for Olesen's victory were laid in the morning's opening 18holes as the Danes made significant gains.
Clemons birdied the 3rdrdto the top – it was the only time he led all day – but a devastating run of four bogeys over the next five holes saw the advantage quickly disappear as Olesen moved up.
Clemons, aiming to add the Amateur Championship to the Scottish Open Amateur Strokeplay title he won at Muirfield earlier in the month, managed to get down the leeway with a birdie on the par-5 13th.th the pit.
A very good chip from the beginning of 14th The green to within a short distance gave him the chance to bogey another hole back, but Olesen bravely holed a 12-foot check to get a half. The Dane's powerful fist pump underscores the importance of this moment.
Clemons was then left to make a three-putt bogey on the 15thth Olesen extended his lead to three again, but the Gog Magogi member soon faced a 30-foot putt on 16.th for a birdie that wins the hole.
Olesen stood strong and maintained his two-hole advantage before completing his victory
in the afternoon and he was 129th Amateur Champion.
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