A football fanatic who divides his loyalties between FC Copenhagen and Manchester United, Olesen lived up to his star billing by winning the Sicilian Open in his second season on The European Tour, aged 22. Produced four rounds in the 60s to win by one shot at Verdura Golf and Spa Resort, fulfilling the potential he showed on the Challenge Tour in 2010, when he finished third in the Rankings thanks largely to victory in The Princess in Sweden. Also finished runner-up at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October 2012, pushing friend Branden Grace all the way. Missed just five cuts all season en route to taking 15th spot in The Race to Dubai, improving on his hugely successful rookie season in 2011, when he was 48th courtesy of runner-up finishes in the South African Open Championship (December 2010), the BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi and the Alstom Open de France. Made his World Cup debut the same year, partnering Anders Hansen for Denmark in China after Thomas Björn had to withdraw through injury. Often practises with his compatriot and golfing idol Søren Hansen in Dubai. Formerly known as Jacob, but changed to use his middle name Thorbjørn as it is far less common.
