Danish Ryder Cup player Thorbjorn Olesen has had his suspension from the European Tour lifted due to the unprecedented delay in court proceedings in the UK caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The 30-year-old’s suspension began on Tuesday August 6, 2019 after he was arrested and charged on three counts following an alleged incident on a flight from Nashville to London on Monday July 29, 2019.
He pleaded not guilty to all three charges and it was initially mutually agreed between the European Tour and Olesen that it would be inappropriate for him to continue to participate in Tour events until the conclusion of his trial, which was originally fixed for Monday May 11, 2020.
However, all parties have now been informed by the UK courts that, following the disruption caused by the pandemic, Olesen’s trial will not now take place until Monday December 6, 2021 at the earliest, a total of 854 days from August 6, 2019.
Due to this significant and unparalleled delay in the legal process, the European Tour has agreed that his suspension be lifted with immediate effect, allowing him to compete while he continues to contest the case.
Olesen said: “While my team and I initially agreed that I would not participate in Tour events while the legal proceedings were outstanding, I am naturally grateful to the European Tour for allowing me to continue my career following the lengthy adjournment of my trial.”
