CROMWELL, Conn. — Michael Thorbjornsen is teeing up his skilled profession on his dwelling course.
“It means lots,” stated Thorbjornsen, a New England native who will make his skilled debut on the 2024 Vacationers Championship at TPC River Highlands.
Thorbjornsen earned his PGA Tour card after he completed No. 1 in PGA Tour College. A graduate of Wellesley Excessive Faculty in Wellesley, Mass., Thorbjornsen will compete on the PGA Tour Signature Occasion on a sponsor exemption.
“Love this place,” Thorbjornsen stated. “I couldn’t ask for a greater begin.”
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It will likely be his third begin on the Vacationers Championship. Thorbjornsen beforehand made his first-ever PGA Tour begin in Cromwell, Conn., and completed fourth total in 2022. Sadly for Thorbjornsen, he was not eligible to gather the prize cash.
The 22-year-old Thorbjornsen will be a part of defending champion Keegan Bradley as a second New England native in the star-studded subject.
Each will function regional inspiration to younger golf followers who flock to New England’s lone PGA Tour cease. Thorbjornsen admitted he hadn’t considered it like that, however is aware of it makes his skilled debut all of the extra particular.
“Come to consider it now, some youngsters rising up right here within the northeast and the Massachusetts space, them wanting as much as me, that’s type of a dream come true,” Thorbjornsen stated. “Simply making an attempt to set an excellent instance for these youngsters and encourage them to be one of the best golfers and greatest human beings they might probably be, as a result of that’s what the blokes forward of me did for me as nicely.
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“Hopefully at some point in 10 years we’ll have a few of these youngsters out right here taking part in and beating me and successful this match.”
The 38-year previous Bradley, who graduated from Hopkinton Excessive in Hopkinton, Mass., has reached out to Thorbjornsen lately and saved tabs on his profession. Bradley will at all times root on his fellow New Englander.
“At any time when I see Massachusetts on the hometown, I’m hyper-focused on no matter they’re doing,” Bradley stated. “So, I’m so happy with what he’s accomplished.
“The rumors of what sort of participant he’s are sturdy — that he’s very, excellent. I really like that. I can relate to what he’s gone by means of to get so far –winters and stuff like that. So I’m at all times pulling for gamers from round right here.”
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Thorbjornsen is a latest graduate of Stanford College. He gained final yr’s Pac-12 Golfer of the Yr and was a first-team All American in his remaining two faculty seasons.
And whereas he may not have considered himself as a job mannequin to youthful gamers simply but, Thorbjornsen provided recommendation to these within the area who wish to have a profession in golf.
“Simply since you’re from the northeast and it snows for greater than half of a yr, that’s no excuse,” Thorbjornsen stated with a smirk. “Simply maintain working exhausting, guys.”
Thorbjornsen could have an opportunity to show himself to New Englanders this weekend. He’ll play alongside one of many prime younger gamers, World No. 4 Ludvig Aberg, in the course of the first and second rounds.
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