Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Power Rankings

Two weeks ago, Thorbjørn Olesen was waiting with champagne greenside to celebrate fellow Dane Lucas Bjerregaard’s maiden European Tour victory. Could this be the week the bubbly’s flowing for Olesen?

It wouldn’t be the first time at this event.

Olesen held off Brooks Koepka and a host of others to win the 2015 Alfred Dunhill Links at 18-under-par. It salvaged an otherwise disappointing year.

“It’s been a very tough year and standing here with this trophy is unbelievable,” Olesen said in his post tournament press conference.

Like at this time last year, Olesen faced the possibility of his first winless season since 2013. He should be a little more confident in his game this time around, though. The 27-year-old has made 10 cuts in a row and showed well at some big time events.

Olesen tied for third at the Rolex Series’ Open de France, made the cut at another Rolex event, the Irish Open as well as The Open Championship. He tied for 10th at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and tied for 34th in his last start at the Portugal Masters. Olesen carded three rounds in the 60s in Portugal.

“Thunder bear,” as his name is loosely translated to in English, was also the first round leader at the PGA Championship before sliding to a tie for 44th come Sunday. With three European Tour wins under his belt, I like Olesen to shake off a missed cut at the 2016 Alfred Dunhill Links and play well this week.