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The 28-year-old grabbed a place on compatriot
and close friend Thomas Bjorn's 12-man team after an impressive
season on the European Tour -- grabbing the last qualification
spot less than a month ago at the Made in Denmark event in
Silkborg.
As with Europe's four other debutants, the enormity of a Ryder
Cup match will hit home on Friday morning at Le Golf National
just south of Paris.
But Olesen says his stint driving then vice-captain Bjorn's
buggy around Hazeltine in 2016 will hold him in good stead for
what he can expect inside the ropes.
"Well, first of all, it's the toughest job I've ever had, for
sure. Driving Thomas's buggy was difficult. He was very
demanding, so I was running around," Olesen told reporters on
Thursday.
"I definitely had to go into the clubhouse to get coffees a few
times, more than a few times. And it was really, really
difficult to get from the course into the clubhouse, especially
in a European cart."
Olesen is happy to swap the steering wheel for his clubs this
time round, but says the close-up view he got at Hazeltine,
where Europe lost, was invaluable as he prepares for the biggest
three days of his career.
"It was a great experience for me. Seeing behind the scenes,
seeing what the captains do, vice captains, realize how tough of
a job they actually have to pick the teams," he said.
"Standing on the first tee, seeing all that, I think is a good
experience, and I think it can only help me this week."
Olesen is a close friend of Bjorn's, describing him as a mentor
as he made his way through the ranks.
They both live in London and occasionally watch football
together so he said it was a relief that he gained one of the
eight automatic qualification places, sparing Bjorn a
potentially difficult decision when naming his wildcards.
"100 percent. It meant the world that I could qualify straight
in, and it would have been a really tough decision for Thomas if
it wasn't, because there was so many great players being
outside," he said.
"I wouldn't know if I wouldn't have qualified if I would have
got the pick or not."
Olesen said there were nerves during his first practice round on
Tuesday but looked relaxed on Thursday.
"I think it's going to be very, very different standing there on
the first tee tomorrow, I'm sure. I'm definitely going to be
very nervous, no doubt about it," he said.
"I will try to just embrace the moment and do my best. I enjoy
being nervous, so I think that's a great feeling to have, so I'm
looking forward whenever I'm standing on that first tee."
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed Osmond)
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