Danish golfer Jacob Skov Olesen seeks balance between eagerness and steady play at home championship

Danish professional golfer Jacob Skov Olesen is focused on balancing his enthusiasm with strategic play as he prepares for the Danish Golf Championship in Kerteminde. The 27-year-old acknowledges the potential for the home crowd's energy to be a double-edged sword, capable of either lifting his performance or leading to overeagerness.

“

The coolest thing about playing in Denmark is the crowd. Few tournaments have the same support as this one.

Olesen and his team have devised a plan to prevent a repeat of last year's performance at the Danish DP World Tour event in Furesø, where he finished 123rd, far from the cut line, after a difficult start. He described it as one of his worst tournaments of the year, where pushing too hard only worsened his situation.

"The coolest thing about playing in Denmark is the crowd. Few tournaments have the same support as this one," Olesen stated, recalling the large crowds in Furesø last year. He appreciates the event's growth and the opportunity to play in front of an engaged audience.

“

It was one of my worst tournaments of the year. I got off to a bad start and had to push, and it only went downhill from there. So there are some things I need to be aware of.

Since turning professional in 2024 after winning The Amateur Championship, Olesen has seen a consistent upward trend in his career. He aims to carry this steady progression into the Kerteminde tournament, rather than succumbing to the pressure of needing to shine with spectacular shots. He noted the temptation to make difficult putts or hit aggressive shots, but stressed that "good golf is often not wildly extraordinary. It comes steadily." He cautioned against self-sabotage by trying to do too much.

“

You want to sink that putt and get all the applause. Or hit it close with a 4-iron, even if it just needed to be in the middle of the green.

Olesen is scheduled to tee off in the first round on Thursday at 1:00 PM, playing in a notable group alongside Sweden's Mikael Lindberg and two-time major champion Bubba Watson of the United States.

“

You want to show something extraordinary. But good golf is often not wildly extraordinary. It comes steadily. You have to be careful not to get in your own way.