Meet the rookies: Sebastian Cappelen

Each week during the fall, PGATOUR.COM will highlight one of the rookies playing on the PGA TOUR during the 2019-20 season. This week: Sebastian Cappelen, who has made five starts this fall.

Age: 29

Birthplace: Odense, Denmark

Resides: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

College: University of Arkansas

TOUR card gained by: Finishing 16th in the Korn Ferry Tour regular season standings.

TOUR starts/Best finish: Five starts this season. He’s made the cut four times, including a T35 at the Bermuda Championship for his best result on TOUR.

Pro highlights: Been a Korn Ferry Tour regular since 2014 when he burst onto the scene, winning in his professional debut as a Monday qualifier at the Air Capital Classic in June. He became the first Monday qualifier to win since Ted Potter Jr., in May 2011. … He was the first Dane to win on the Tour. … Despite another top 10 soon after, he would slide down to 26th on the money list and barely miss out on the PGA TOUR. Since then it’s been a long road to fulfill his dream. In 2019 when he won the Rex Hospital Open in June, he vowed not to let it slip this time around and just a few weeks later was runner-up at the Wichita Open after losing in a playoff to secure his passage.

Amateur highlights: Was a member of both the junior and national teams in his native Denmark. … Palmer Cup player 2011, 2012 and 2013. … Arrived at the University of Arkansas in 2010 and went on to become the first four-time Razorback All-American golfer and the school's all-time leader in scoring average (72.0). … Won one college event all four years, including the 2013 SEC individual title, and four titles total. … Finished ninth in his last collegiate appearance in June 2014, at the NCAA Championship.

Interesting tidbits: His father, Ulrik, was a member of the Danish national pro soccer team. … Earliest golf memory was holing a 7-iron for his first birdie from 110 yards when he was about 10. … If not a golfer, he would be an economist. Has a degree in Economics with a minor in Finance from the University of Arkansas. … Favorite teams are the Arkansas Razorbacks and New England Patriots. … Favorite entertainer is Jeff Dunham. … Favorite places include Antalaya, Turkey, and Egypt. … Would like to trade places for a day with Sebastian Vettel of Formula 1 fame. … Not many people know he plays piano and guitar. … Is a self-confessed wine snob and enjoys cooking with his wife.

Cappelen says (after earning his PGA TOUR card): “It’s a great feeling to see all the hard work pay off. It’s what we work and strive for. I just think it’s nice to be able to enjoy it … to say that you’re actually there. I know I need to keep it down to business, to keep grinding and working to get better. But it’s a unique opportunity and we’ve got to take all the facets in and enjoy every part of it. When you’re a 12-year-old kid, it’s like ‘Oh, I want to be that guy on TV one day.’ Really, it’s just a dream and you kind of think it’s unlikely. Even knowing it’s unlikely, it’s the dream that drives you to keep working hard every day. So, looking back at that, I can’t help but smile and be grateful with where I am now.”

For more on Sebastian Cappelen, click here.