The Made in Denmark event started in 2014 and returns for it's fifth staging at a new venue in 2018. It has been home to many great moments over the last few years and this year heads to the home of Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn. Ahead of this year's edition, we give you the lowdown on the Danish event.
Final stop in Ryder Cup race
The contest to automatically qualify for Bjørn’s European team ends, fittingly, at his home course this week.
After the conclusion of the 2018 Made in Denmark, the first eight players who will represent Europe in The Ryder Cup will be confirmed, with Captain Bjørn having four further picks to complete his side of 12.
Of those competing this week all eyes will be on home favourite Thorbjørn Olesen, who currently occupies the eighth and final automatic qualification spot.
A chance to impress
For players looking to make a case as to why they should be on the plane to Paris, this week provides another great opportunity.
Not only will Captain Bjørn be watching closely, but Vice Captains Robert Karlsson and Lee Westwood are both teeing it up in Denmark.
For the likes of Olesen, Matt Fitzpatrick, Eddie Pepperell and Thomas Pieters, among others, a good performance so close to the 42nd staging of the biennial contest could sway Bjørn and his team.
Karlsson joins the 600 Club
Vice Captain Karlsson, a former Order of Merit winner and 11-time European Tour winner, celebrates a significant milestone this week.
The Swede will join an illustrious list when he becomes the 11th person to have made 600 appearances on the European Tour after David Howell, Sam Torrance, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Barry Lane, Colin Montgomerie, Roger Chapman, Paul Lawrie, Eamonn Darcy, Peter Baker and Malcolm Mackenzie.
Pastures new
Silkeborg Ry Golf Club will host the Made in Denmark for the first time this week.
Set in Silkeborg in the centre of the country, Silkeborg Ry is the home course of Captain Bjørn, who grew up in the town.
When it was announced that the tournament was moving from Himmerland Golf and Spa Resort to Silkeborg, Bjørn said: “I don’t know how many rounds of golf I’ve played at Silkeborg Ry Golfklub – a lot - but to finally play a European Tour event on the course where I grew up will be an extraordinary experience, one that I’m really looking forward to.”
Wildthing
While undoubtedly the race for Ryder Cup qualification will be the main focus of many this week, expect John Daly to still take up his fair share of the limelight.
The popular American returns to Denmark on the back of a top-ten finish in the event last year, and after carding his lowest European Tour round in nine years in the Czech Republic last week the two-time Major Champion has shown that when he’s on song he can still compete with the best.
