Danish Golf Championship - Day one digest

Friday, August 23, 2024

Everything you need to know from the opening round in Denmark.

Rasmus Højgaard began his title defence in impressive fashion as he stormed to the top of the leaderboard on day one of the 2024 Danish Golf Championship.

Here is everything you need to know from the opening round in Denmark.

Defending champion picks up where he left off

Højgaard became the first home winner of this event last season when he prevailed after a six-hole play-off against Nacho Elvira. And, although at a different course, the Dane began his title defence in remarkable fashion, firing a superb 65 on Thursday morning to lead by two shots after 18 holes. Starting from the tenth tee, Højgaard made three birdies on his front nine before adding an exceptional eagle, two more birdies and a single bogey after the turn. He said: "I'm very pleased with it. It wasn't easy out there but I managed to keep the ball in play for most of the round and rolled some good putts."

Déjà vu for Guerrier

Julien Guerrier came into the week with a slight advantage over many of his competitors, having played an event at host course Lübker Golf Resort before. The Frenchman finished in a tie for ninth here at the 2011 ECCO Tour Championship hosted by Thomas Björn & Mercedes Benz on the European Challenge Tour, and he made a bright start at the same venue 13 years later, signing for an opening 69 to sit at two under par.

Sharma's sizzling start

Shubhankar Sharma got off to a flying start on Thursday afternoon, beginning his week with four successive birdies to charge up the leaderboard. The Indian then parred the next four holes before a birdie at the ninth took him to the turn in 31. He was unable to keep his card clean on the back nine but signed for a two-under-par 69.