Former European Ryder Cupper Thorbjorn Olesen has apologised to fans regarding his 2019 charge of sexual assault. Meanwhile the European Tour lifted Olesen’s suspension overnight, allowing him to return to competition while he contests his case.
Olsen, 30, is facing charges of sexual assault, being drunk on an aircraft and assault by beating after a 2019 incident. Competing for the first time in 11 months at the Danish PGA Championship, Olesen spoke to reporters after the tournament.
“I am incredibly sad about what has happened and would like to apologise to all the Danes who have supported me for so many years,” Olesen said. “I basically haven’t played golf in a year. I played for a week in November in Spain, and then I’ve been playing for the past couple of weeks – that’s it. Since I started playing, I’ve never had anything like that where I haven’t played in such a long time. It’s hard.”
According to the Independent and the Sun, Olesen – a five-time European Tour winner – was arrested for allegedly molesting a woman who was asleep on a flight from Memphis to London after the 2019 WGC–FedEx St Jude Invitational. Olesen then argued with other passengers on the flight, according to published reports, causing fellow European Tour pro Ian Poulter, who was also on the plane, to intervene.
But when Poulter fell asleep, Olesen’s inappropriate behaviour allegedly continued, according to reports, which included yelling at crew members and urinating in an aisle. Police were waiting for Olesen upon the plane’s arrival at Heathrow Airport.
Olesen had been suspended from the European Tour since the incident, however with the trial not set until December 2021, the tour lifted Olesen’s suspension, saying in a statement: “This will be reviewed following the conclusion of the legal process, but as this is an on-going legal matter the European Tour will be making no further comment at this time.”
