News
Thorbjorn Olesen arrested after being accused of sexual assault, urinating in aisle on a transatlantic flight
According to a report from The Sun, European Tour star Thorbjorn Olesen was arrested before being released this week on suspicion of sexual assault during a transatlantic flight.
Per the report, Olesen allegedly hurled abuse at passengers and crew on the flight before being calmed by fellow golfer Ian Poulter and then molested a woman while Poulter slept.
The Dane is also accused of urinating in the first-class aisle of the plane, and it is believed that police were waiting for Olesen when his BA flight from Nashville, Tennessee, landed at Heathrow on Monday,
A witness speaking on the incident told The Sun
“He started abusing some of the passengers and crew and then made a pass at one of the female passengers before taking a leak in the aisle. It was shocking behaviour. You would expect it maybe on a budget airline but not in the first-class cabin on BA.’’
Poulter’s agent Paul Dunkley stated that the Englishman assisted in calming down a “slightly intoxicated” passenger and that “he then went to sleep and the first he knew of anything else was when the police were waiting at Heathrow.”
The Met Police confirmed that a 29-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault, being drunk on board an aircraft and failing to comply with the orders of cabin crew, before being “released under investigation.”
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Morning 9: Wyndham Clark on back injury | DiMarco’s bold Champions Tour take | Houston Open photos
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News
Four books for a springtime review
One thing that never changes over time: snowy evenings give purpose to reading (is it the other way around?) It has been a snowy 2024 in western New York, and I’ve had ample time to tuck into an easy chair with a blanket, coffee, and a book. You’re in luck, because despite the title of this piece, I’ll share five books and their worth with you.
There is great breadth of subject matter from one to five. Golf is as complicated as life, which means that the cover of the book isn’t worth judging. The contents begin the tale, but there is so much more to each topic presented within. If you’re like me, your library grows each year. Despite the value of the virtual, the paper-printed word connects us to the past of golf and humanity. Here’s hoping that you’ll add one or more of these titles to your collection.
Hughes Norton interviewed with Mark McCormack for 20 minutes (30 if you count the missed exit at Logan International) while driving the founder of IMG from Harvard to the airport. The lesson of taking advantage of each moment, of every dollar, because you might not get another opportunity, is the most valuable one that life offers. I say to you, be certain to read this book, because another opportunity to bend the ear of Hughes Norton may not come our way.
Hughes Norton was with Tiger Woods for waaayyy fewer years than you might guess, but they were the critical ones. Be warned: not all of the revelations in this tome are for the faint of heart. Some, in fact, will break your heart. Golf was a sleepy hamlet in the 1990s, until the 16-lane interstate called Eldrick “Tiger” Woods came into town. Everything changed, which meant that everything would change again and again, into eternity. Once the ball starts rolling, it’s impossible to stop.
My favorite aspect of this book is its candor. Hughes Norton is well into his time on Planet Earth. He has no reason to hold back, and he doesn’t. My least favorite aspect is that George Peper got the call to co-author the book (and I didn’t.) Seriously, there is no LFA for me, so this is the best that I could do.
Decision: Buy It!
The Golf Courses of Seth Raynor
Michael Wolf, James Sitar, and Jon Cavalier, in abject partnership, collaborated to produce a handsome volume on the work of gone-too-soon, engineer-turned-golf course architect. Seth Raynor was pulled into the game by Charles Blair MacDonald, the crusty godfather of American golf. Raynor played little golf across the 51 years of his life. His reason? He did not wish to corrupt his designs with the demands and failings of his own game.
Jon Cavalier began his photography career as a contributor to the Golf Club Atlas discussion group. I met him there in a virtual way (we still have yet to shake hands) and have exchanged numerous emails over the years. Despite the demands of his day job, Cavalier has blossomed into the most traveled and prolific course photographer alive today. His photography, both hand-held and drone, makes the pages pop. Michael Wolf invited me and two friends to play his home course, despite having never met any of us in person. His words, melded to those of James Sitar, are the glue that connect Cavalier’s photos.
My favorite aspect of the books is the access it gives to the private-club world of Raynor. Fewer than five of his courses are resort or public access, and knowing people on the inside is not available to all. My suggestion? Write a letter/email and see if a club will let you play. Can’t hurt to try! My one complaint about the book is its horizontal nature. Golf is wide, but I like a little vertical in my photos. It’s not much of a complaint, given the glorious contents within the covers.
Decision: Buy It!!
Big Green Book from The Golfer’s Journal
Beginning with its (over)size, and continuing through the entire contents, there is no descriptor that defines the genre of the Big Green Book. It is photography, essay, layout, poetry, graphics, and stream of consciousness. It harnesses the creative power of a lengthy masthead of today’s finest golf contributors. Quotes from Harvey Penick, verse from Billy Collins, and prose from John Updike partner with images pure and altered, to immerse you in the diverse golf spaces that define this planet.
One of my favorite aspects is the spaces between the words and photos. Have your friends and others write a few notes to you in those blank areas, to personalize your volume even more. One aspect that needs improvement: the lack of female voices. I suspect that will be remedied in future volumes.
Decision: Buy It!!!
Troublemaker and The Unplayable Lie
Books that allege discrimination and mistreatment check two boxes: potentially-salacious reads and debate over whose perspective is accurate. In the end, the presentation of salacious revelation rarely meets the expectation, and the debate over fault is seldom resolved. Lisa Cornwell spent years as a competitive junior and college golfer, before joining The Golf Channel as a reporter and program host.
Despite the dream assignments, there were clouds that covered the sun. Cornwell documents episodes of favoritism and descrimination against her, prior to her departure from The Golf Channel in 2021. Her work echoes the production of the late Marcia Chambers, who wrote for Golf Digest in the 1980s and 1990s. Chambers took issue with many of the potential and real legal issues surrounding golf and its policies of access/no access. Her research culminated in The Unplayable Lie, the first work of its kind to address issues confronted by all genders and ethnicities, and immediately predated the professional debut of Tiger Woods in 1997.
My favorite aspects of the two works, are the courage and conviction that it took to write them, and believe in them. My least favorite aspects are the consistent bias that many groups continue to face. Without awareness, there is no action. Without action, there is no change.
Decision: Buy Them!!!!
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
GolfWRX is on site in the Lone Star State this week for the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
General galleries from the putting green and range, WITBs — including Thorbjorn Olesen and Zac Blair — and several pull-out albums await.
As always, we’ll continue to update as more photos flow in. Check out links to all our photos from Houston below.
General Albums
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Monday #1
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Monday #2
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #2
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Thorbjorn Olesen – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Ben Silverman – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Jesse Droemer – SoTX PGA Section POY – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- David Lipsky – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Martin Trainer – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Zac Blair – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Jacob Bridgeman – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Trace Crowe – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Daniel Berger – WITB(very mini) – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Chesson Hadley – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Callum McNeill – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Rhein Gibson – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Patrick Fishburn – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Peter Malnati – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Raul Pereda – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Pullout Albums
- Tom Hoge’s custom Cameron – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Piretti putters – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Ping putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Kevin Dougherty’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Bettinardi putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Tony Finau’s new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Curt
Aug 2, 2019 at 5:53 pm
What an idiot!
Nack Jicklaus
Aug 1, 2019 at 10:41 pm
I want to hear all of the facts of this story. Sometimes first reports might not have all the details from both sides, so I am gonna wait before passing judgement. Of course he might have indeed just went bananas for no reason, but I don’t know for sure…
Sir Ben Kingsley
Aug 1, 2019 at 10:18 pm
A “budget airline?” WTH is that? Furthermore, what airline tolerates, allows, and excuses idiotic behavior? Dumbest thing I have ever heard, next to a PGA Tour member acting like Eldrick! I mean, this neanderthal is a First Class clown! Drunk, ignorant, belligerent, entitled, arrogant, and offensive! Well done Thorby, well done!
Jesus Christ
Aug 1, 2019 at 8:30 pm
My daddy is watching.
Fergie
Aug 1, 2019 at 6:57 pm
Ho boy, here we go with the class distinctions. Regular fare vs First Class, Muni vs Private Club, et al . . .
Brandon
Aug 1, 2019 at 4:19 pm
We’ve all pissed in the isle on an airplane before.
joro
Aug 1, 2019 at 1:40 pm
He must have been drunk out of his skull to be that big of an Ass. From now on he should fly with the trash on a Budget Airlines where he can molest females, and most of all Pee in the aisle. I always fly Budget so I can do those things with applause from the other trash flying Budget. What a bunch of over important people flying First these snobs are.
It is a sad day for Oleson and he should be suspended for the rest of the season and put on probation after this fiasco. Too bad he doesn’t appreciate what he has/had. Good Day Sir!!!! and get some help.
real recognize real
Aug 1, 2019 at 1:26 pm
you would except this on a budget airline? drinking, isle peeing, and molesting?
Mower
Aug 1, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Right!??? wtf
toad the spret wocket
Aug 4, 2019 at 7:00 pm
Did you honestly think the wealthy see the lower class as civilized humans?
JP
Aug 1, 2019 at 12:37 pm
Sadly, this will all end in a slap on the wrist and a fine. Nothing will be learned from his bad behavior.
Tommy
Aug 1, 2019 at 11:17 am
Looks/acts like a guy with a screw loose. I always thought that. All it takes is one drink too many and “him” comes out to play.
Vas
Aug 1, 2019 at 11:08 am
“You would expect it maybe on a budget airline but not in the first-class cabin on BA.”??? Seriously??? That witness may have set a new superiority complex bar. I’d much rather take my chances flying next to Olesen than that person.
James
Aug 1, 2019 at 10:24 am
What are you doing, Thunder Bear? Never took him as a closet DB until reading who was flying with. Birds of a feather, I guess.
Mike
Aug 1, 2019 at 10:09 am
In response to sexual assault and urinating in the aisle the witness was quoted as saying “you would expect it maybe on a budget airline.” So they think that people who aren’t wealthy molest flight attendants and piss where they’re not supposed to? They comment is more shocking than Olesen’s behavior.
Wowzers
Aug 1, 2019 at 7:54 pm
Uh, really? That’s your opinion?
john
Aug 1, 2019 at 9:22 am
i dont think there is any space for “bad boys” that assault/harass women in golf. or on the face of the earth, for that matter.
The dude
Aug 1, 2019 at 9:14 am
I always thought he golfed for the other team.
mike
Aug 1, 2019 at 8:37 am
Olesen goes from uninteresting Euro to Golfs new bad boy in one flight, interesting