British Masters: Sensational finish sees Thorbjorn Olesen pinch victory from the jaws of defeat

The Belfry has once again proved itself as a dramatic stage for top class golfing action.

The four-time host of the Ryder Cup boasts the famous short par-4 10th hole, two par-5s in the final four holes, and a brutal par-4 to close - volatility is more or less guaranteed.

Ahead of the final round Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen led by three but few thought the final round would represent a walk in the park.

Not only did he have the vagaries of a difficult test in front of him, but also the weight of recent history.

Back in 2018 he was an integral part of the victorious European Ryder Cup team but, soon after, his tour career was on the back burner, disrupted by sexual assault charges following a drunken flight back to Europe from the 2019 WGC St Jude Invitational.

He was cleared of all charges five months ago, but the impact on his performance was significant: he had landed 47 top 10s on the main tours prior to the accusation, including five wins, but just two since it.

In leading by three after 54 holes he was in a dominant position, but he was clearly nervous on Sunday and repeatedly hit tee shots into trouble; through 16 holes he was 4-over for the final round and he was lucky to be that.

It didn't help that playing partner Marcus Armitage was also flapping and would eventually card a 76 to destroy his aspirations.

Scotsman Richie Ramsay looked set to better that after making birdie at the par-5 17th to reach 10-under, but he dunked his approach shot at the 18th into water and was distraught to make a double bogey-6 that eventually left him tied third alongside compatriot Connor Syme and South Africa's Justin Walters on 8-under.

Olesen's hopes appeared slim. He had thrashed his drive at the par-5 15th into trees and looked despondent when hitting a provisional tee shot.

The first ball was found, but he had limped to a bogey-6 and then found the greenside bunker at the 16th.

Even when his recovery lipped out he seemed un-enthused as he tapped in for par.

Whereupon he launched a huge drive over the dogleg at the par-5 17th, thrashed an approach to the green and then drained a 28-foot eagle putt.

Tied for the lead, he found the putting surface at the 18th, but was 35-feet shy of the green.

No bother: he drained that as well to complete a dramatic triumph.

"It was obviously a pretty tough day and I was really struggling," he said afterwards.

"But what a finish. Incredible. I just gave it everything.

"I just had so much belief on 17 that I could make it. I just forced it in somehow which was incredible.

"There's so many emotions, it's been a long time since I won and I knew how hard it was going to be. It's obviously a massive tournament. So many great champions here."