In what must rank among the best stories of an eventful golfing year, Oliver Wilson produced a determined and gritty display to claim his maiden European Tour victory and resurrect his career at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Coming into Sunday’s final round at the legendary Old Course of St. Andrews, the 34-year-old Englishman, who was only part of the field courtesy of a sponsor’s invite, was three shots clear of a chasing pack that included world number one Rory McIlroy.
On a day of fine scoring conditions in Fife, Wilson was submerged by a barrage of birdies as the number of contenders increased to establish a shoot-out at the Home of Golf. Home favourite Richie Ramsay, compatriot Tommy Fleetwood, and McIlroy all vied for a title that is among the most lucrative on the Tour.
Wilson had started the tournament with a course record tying round of 64 at Carnoustie on Thursday, which he followed with a comparatively meek 72 at Kingsbarns on Friday. With his final 36-holes to be plotted at the Old Course, the former Ryder Cup player took control of the championship with a Saturday 65 on the iconic layout.
But as the others encircled him, Wilson manufactured a courageous comeback on the back-nine after completing the opening nine holes in a disappointing 37 strokes.
Birdies at the 10th and 11th reignited Wilson’s round, with a brilliant approach on the 16th leading to another birdie that would see him take control of the tournament once again. It was a wonderfully executed iron from 220-yards, and it saw him capitalise on a fine recovery on the lengthy par five, 14th.
Onto the ferocious 17th, where so many dreams have been vanquished down the yeas. Having hit his tee shot way to the left onto the second fairway, Wilson’s approach was equally wayward, leaving him a lengthy pitch onto the narrow green of the famed Road Hole. However, in the midst of the most tangible of pressure, the Mansfield-native created an exquisite recovery and saved par.
Knowing that a birdie on the iconic closing hole of the Old Course would secure his first professional victory, Wilson played an intelligent tee shot that left a longer approach than many had on the short par four. Able to control the distance, Wilson’s approach was well-played, leaving him with an inviting birdie putt for the win.
However, he would fail to convert, which left playing partner, Fleetwood with an opportunity from around ten-feet to force a playoff. The 23-year-old would also miss, which would see Oliver Wilson follow many of the legends of the game by triumphing at the Old Course.
It’s been quite a road to this day for Wilson. A successful amateur and Walker Cup player, he would qualify for Nick Faldo’s Ryder Cup team in 2008 at Valhalla. That achievement came despite the fact he had yet to clinch a title, but nine runner-up finishes illustrated the consistency and class that saw him break into the world’s top 50.
However, times have been tough since then. A dramatic decline in form saw him lose his playing rights in 2011, with the past three seasons being spent on the Challenge Tour. Without a single top ten finish this season, Wilson’s form saw him enter the Dunhill as a 500-1 outsider for the title.
“I don’t have words for it”, said an emotional Oliver Wilson in the aftermath of his incredible. “It’s been ten years, 11 years coming. There were nine runners-up and I hadn’t done a whole lot to lose those, but nothing had really gone my way and this week, to be given a big opportunity by Dunhill to play – I can’t thank them enough to give me an opportunity to do this – I guess it’s what golf’s all about.
“Before I went out today I thought about how I’ve never gone out and won a tournament. I’ve played alright coming down the stretch and not lost it and other guys have just got over the line ahead of me and today I was just trying to be patient.
“I got off to a good start ball-striking wise but a couple of three-putts and you think ‘here we go’ but I stayed patient. The course was tricky with the wind, Rory was in front and I could keep an eye on what he was doing and Tommy was playing good as well.
“I played some great shots on the back nine, you feel like when you turn back into the wind that your opportunity has probably gone because it’s hard to make some birdies.
”I made a great save at 14 and the shot I hit into 16 was probably the best shot of my life. 17 was hard work and at the last Tommy had putted well and I thought he was going to make that.”
Despite the absence of results, which has seen him earn a paltry €11,984 on the Challenge Tour this season, Wilson sensed that improved form was coming.
“I’ve been playing pretty well. Robert Rock – I went to see him two weeks ago and I shot a course record in Kazakhstan. He’s worked with me all week, spent a lot of time with me, helped me a lot with my swing and given me the confidence to go and play.
“When I came into the week I was almost just trying to make the cut! I got going and played good in practice and knew I was capable of putting a good tournament together but you’re never sure if it’s going to happen.
“Carnoustie shooting eight under round there gave me some confidence and my confidence grew each day. I’ve got good memories round here – I finished second a few years ago alongside Rory when Simon Dyson won – so I knew what I had to do and I stood up and hit some really good shots today. So my confidence from where it’s been the last few of years is in a very different place right now.”
With the next two seasons back on the European Tour now secured, Wilson is back where he belongs. The outpouring of support and congratulations from his fellow professionals serves of an illustration of just how liked he is. This is a popular victory, and the manner of the triumph surely ranks it among the most impressive of the year.
Golf (and sport) occasionally provides us with the sight of dreams becoming a reality. After 228 events, to finally clinch his first triumph on the grandest stage in the game, Wilson’s dream had at last come true.
His career has been quite a story, and this is undoubtedly its best chapter to date. But expect more to come, as he now begins the second half of his career.