Rasmus Højgaard is using his disappointment at missing out on dual membership on the PGA TOUR as a source of motivation as he looks to continue his strong start to the new year on the DP World Tour at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship.
The Dane fell just short of joining his twin brother Nicolai in earning PGA TOUR status in 2024, while maintaining the flexibility to play on the DP World Tour, as he finished one place outside the top ten players who were not already exempt on the final Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.
After taking a break following the DP World Tour Championship at the end of last season, the four-time DP World Tour winner has returned with renewed impetus.
After narrowly missing out on top-10 finishes at both the Dubai Invitational and Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Højgaard is looking to extend his form into a third week in the United Arab Emirates.
And after struggling with shoulder and rib injuries during the first half of last season, the 22-year-old is delighted to be fully fit.
“Looking back to last year, I’m still a bit disappointed I didn’t get that PGA TOUR card, but at the same time I was putting myself in a position to compete for one of those cards,” he said.
“I’m kind of proud of that because the first six months of the year were very tough. It’s nice to be healthy and playing some good golf.
“I feel good. I’m in a lot better place this year than I was last year, especially being injury free. The last two weeks have been good. Playing some good golf.
"Two quiet Sundays, but the game is trending and I’m looking forward to this week.”
I’m in a lot better place this year than I was last year, especially being injury free.
Rasmus is this week looking to follow in Nicolai’s footsteps, after his brother won the inaugural edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship in 2022.
With good memories at Al Hamra Golf Club, having finished in a tie for sixth last year, coupled with his early-season form, the 22-year-old is excited about his chances.
“I love being here,” he said. “It’s always nice to start the season here, we’ve done it for a few years now.
“Travelling out early, just before New Year or just after and spending ten days in a practice camp before the events start so you feel like your game is ready for when the tournaments start.
“It’s nice to be out here, the golf courses are good and the weather is a big positive compared to what it’s like at home at the moment. I always enjoy being here.”
While Ryder Cup winner Nicolai is now out in America ahead of competing at this week’s Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA TOUR, Rasmus is hopeful they can continue to inspire each other from opposite sides of the Atlantic.
“We are very competitive, but we don’t annoy each other with results because we know it’s such a tough game.
“You get on these runs where one of us is playing good golf for a certain amount of time, then it changes and the other one is doing it.
“Whenever one of us is playing well, we just try to be supportive and take a bit of inspiration from that, to see if you can build that confidence and get that momentum. There’s a competitive side of it, but also the supportive side of it.”
