Sunday 4 October 2015 18:16, UK
Thorbjorn Olesen overcame an early stumble to claim a two-shot victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.
The world No 155, who has missed the cut in all but six of his previous 19 starts in an injury-hit season, recovered from an early double-bogey to post a one-under 71 at St Andrews and claim his third European Tour victory.
"It's very special, I'm very emotional right now," Olesen told Sky Sports 4. "It's been a very tough year and to stand here with this trophy is unbelievable, especially to win it on St Andrews. It's something you dream of when you are a little kid.
"The conditions were quite tricky because it was quite cold and there was a little breeze, but I kept on being patient and holed that amazing putt in 15 which gave me a little bit of room.
"All the hours I have put in this year has paid off and all the people behind me, coaches, family and friends; I want to give them a big thank you."
Resuming with a three-shot lead, the Dane birdied the first but saw his advantage disappear after following a six on the par-four second with another dropped shot at the next.
A gain at the fourth and a two-putt birdie at the fifth restored Olesen's position at the top of the leaderboard, although he briefly found Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Benjamin Hebert alongside him after a three-putt par on the short 10th.
Aphibarnrat and Hebert both dropped out of contention with back-to-back dropped shots at the 13th and 14th, but Chris Stroud increased his chances of a maiden professional victory by kicking off his back nine with consecutive birdies to get to 17 under.
The American lost ground by bogeying the 16th, as Olesen restored his two-shot cushion by nailing a monster 50-foot birdie putt at the previous hole.
As Stroud picked up a shot at the last to close a three-under 69 and join compatriot Brooks Koepka in a tie for second, Olesen completed the final three holes in regulation to take the title and secure his European Tour playing card.
"I can't imagine anything better than this," Stroud said. "At the original place of golf, right here in the Home of Golf, this is pretty special. I had an incredible time. I can't believe how lucky we got with the weather and to birdie the last hole like that, it's awesome.
"I am very excited that I was able to (finish second) after coming off such a weak year on the PGA Tour."
A round-of-the-day 65 from Chris Wood parachuted him in to the tie for third alongside a large group including Bernd Wiesberger, with Stewart Cink a further stroke back despite playing the first 11 holes in seven under.
