Everything you need to know from Moving Day at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
Nicolai Højgaard put himself in contention to follow his brother into the winner's circle as he opened up a one shot lead on day three of the 2021 DS Automobiles Italian Open.
Here is everything you need to know from Moving Day at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
Højgaard brothers looking to make it twin wins in two weeks
Rasmus Højgaard won last week's Omega European Masters in Switzerland to become a three time European Tour champion at 20 but it is his twin brother Nicolai who leads the way after 54 holes in Rome. A win for Nicolai would make the Højgaards the first brothers to win back to back events on the European Tour and he revealed his twin's success has motivated him. "Seeing Rasmus win is a big motivation," he said. "I'm just trying to follow in his steps a little bit. Hopefully I can get it done tomorrow."
Levy's famous caddie
There are plenty of world class sportsmen gathered at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club for this week's event but not all of them made their name in golf. Alexander Levy has fellow Frenchman and 1998 FIFA World Cup winner Alain Boghossian on the bag. Allow him to explain how they know each other...
Alex Levy on the World Cup winner on his bag this week 💬#DSOpendItalia pic.twitter.com/99EYkcMnUs
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 4, 2021
Patience pays off for Fleetwood
Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood made a slow but steady start to his third round, opening up with eight straight pars. While this did not help him close in on the leaders, it laid a solid foundation for him to build on. His first birdie of the day on the ninth was followed by further gains at the 12th, 14th, 15th and 16th as he climbed up the leaderboard. He gave a shot back on the short 17th but his brilliant 67 moved him to within one shot of the lead ahead of Sunday's final round. He said: "I'm excited to go into a Sunday in contention and see where my game's at really. It'll be a nice time to come into form so I'll keep trying."
So close
Leader Nicolai Højgaard produced a strong contender for shot of the day when he drove the green at the par four 16th. At one stage it looked like he might just bag himself a hole-in-one and an albatross but he had to settle for a close range eagle.
Now that's a Golf shot!
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 4, 2021
Nicolai Højgaard now leads the #DSOpendItalia. pic.twitter.com/o7v3tHUxZn