Perth, Australia: Nike Golf athlete Thorbjorn Olesen produced a gritty, determined final round 71 to secure his first win in 2014 at the ISPS Handa Perth International on the European Tour.
The win was also a first for the new Nike Golf Vapor Pro irons, as Olesen peppered the greens on all four days in Australia.
Olesen went into the final day three shots clear of his nearest opponent at the top of the leaderboard, following scores of 64, 69 and 67 in the first three rounds thanks in part to some aggressive iron play and clinical work with the Nike Method 001 Proto putter on the greens.
As impressive as Olesen had been Thursday-through-Saturday, it was his ability to dig deep on Sunday that was perhaps the most remarkable aspect of his performance. He showcased his competitive nature in particular during a three-hole stretch from the 13th to the 15th as he recorded two birdies and an incredible par save to retain a clear lead ahead of the field.
The 24-year-old’s ball-striking was impressive throughout the week, showcasing the Pure Precision of the new Vapor Pro irons to stunning effect at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club.
The Vapor Pro irons, available to consumers starting on October 31, were developed at Nike’s R&D headquarters – The Oven – in Fort Worth, Texas, with direct input from Nike Golf athletes including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
The new forged blade irons feature innovative Modern Muscle design, which is defined by balanced weighting for perfected precision and power.
Interestingly, Olesen also relied on a Vapor Speed #2 iron during the tournament, allowing him to hit towering approach shots even when attacking the flag from longer distances. He also relied on the Vapor Speed #3 and #5 fairway woods, as he plotted his way around the 7,143-yard track in Western Australia.
Olesen’s control of the RZN Black golf ball was a feature of his play over the four rounds, as he notched 22 birdies on his way to winning score of 17-under-par.
“The feel of the ball is outstanding, especially around the greens where I’m able to spin it a little more,” said Olesen, who displayed his short-game mastery no better than on the par-five third hole on Saturday, chipping in from off the green for a confidence-boosting birdie.
On the body, Olesen wore Nike Golf apparel from the Sport and Performance Collection and the Nike Lunar Control II footwear. The victory was Olesen’s first since he won the 2012 Sicilian Open.
Nike Golf is a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.