Who is Jacob Skov Olesen? Meet the man off to a fast start at the 153rd Open
Here's all you need to know about Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen, who has got off to a brilliant start at the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.
Jacob Skov Olesen has got off to a flyer at the 153rd Open Championship, but who exactly is he?
Olesen, 26, opened with a solid 4-under 67 to move into early contention for golf's final major of the season at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
It's of course still a long shot Olesen finishes top of the board come Sunday, but stranger things have happened at The Open.
Who remembers when little-known Ben Curtis upset the odds at the 2003 Open at Royal St George's?!
Who is Jacob Skov Olesen?
Olesen was born on 28 May 1999 and he's from Roskilde in Denmark.
His greatest achievement in the game to date is winning The Amateur Championship in 2024.
Other notable amateur triumphs for Olesen included the 2019 Texas Intercollegiate, 2021 Prestige and the 2022 Danish National Match Play Championship.
His best result to date on the DP World Tour is a T5 at last year's Danish Golf Championship.
Olesen secured his eligibility into the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush after coming through a qualifier at Burnham & Berrow earlier this month.
Jacob Skov Olesen moves to four-under with an eagle on 12 to take the lead. pic.twitter.com/LjaBfccHEY
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2025
Who is Olesen dating?
Jacob Skov Olesen's girlfriend is Ladies European Tour player Darcey Harry.
Darcey Harry, 22, is ranked 9th on the LET Order of Merit this season and 222nd in the world.
Olesen has also been seen caddying for her at various tournaments in recent times.
Harry won her first LET title last month at the Hulencourt Women's Open.
She is following her man's every move at the 153rd Open as you can see from her latest Instagram Story.
How's Olesen doing this season?
Olesen has had a mixed bag of results in his first full season as a professional on the DP World Tour.
So far this year, Olesen has amassed just two top-10 finishes on the former European Tour circuit.
They came at the Joburg Open (T7) and China Open (T8).
Olesen missed both of his last two cuts at the BMW International Open and ISCO Championship, a co-sanctioned event on the PGA Tour, heading into the 153rd Open.
How long has Olesen been a pro?
Olesen has not been professional very long.
He turned pro in November 2024 following the conclusion of the European Tour Q-School, where he successfully gained his Tour card for 2025.
As a result of turning pro, however, Olesen forfeited his exemption (from winning The Amateur Championship) into both The Masters and US Open this season.
Olesen had only played in one major prior to this week's Open.
He finished T60 at the 152nd Open at Royal Troon last July.
What's Olesen world ranking?
As it stands, Olesen looks on from 62nd in the DP World Tour Rankings, which would assure him of his playing privileges again next season.
Olesen is ranked a lowly 354th in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
But of course all of that could change should he continue his impressive start to the 153rd Open.
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