Oliver Wilson defends and three Open spots on offer as players bid farewell to HimmerLand on the DP World Tour. Here are your five things to know for the 2023 Made in HimmerLand.
Oliver Wilson defends
Fresh from a runner-up place in last week's Betfred British Masters at The Belfry, Oliver Wilson returns to HimmerLand to defend the emotional title that ended an almost eight-year wait for victory last year.
Ewen Ferguson had looked on course to secure his third victory of the season after shooting a closing 66 to set the clubhouse target at 20 under par. But Wilson, playing in the final group, finished with a flourish in Farsø, holing from 66 feet at the 13th, 14 feet on the 16th and 64 feet at the 17th to leapfrog the Scot and take a one-shot lead to the 18th tee.
He safely parred the last to sign for a 67, finishing the tournament on 21 under par and returning to the winner's circle for the first time at this level since the 2014 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
“I wasn’t going to cry,” Wilson had said in his winner’s interview beside the 18th green. "Everything I’ve done to this point to rebuild my game, I knew I could do it. I was so calm there, I almost enjoyed the last hole. It’s pretty special.”
Last week he came close to winning yet again, and he'll be looking to continue that momentum as he returns to HimmerLand.
Farewell to Himmerland, and Himmerland Hill
HimmerLand Golf & Spa Resort, which was opened in 1992 and designed by golf architect Jan Cedermolm, will play host to the Made in Himmerland Open for the final time this week.
It means a fond farewell to one of Tour’s great signature viewing holes – the par three 16th. Dubbed ‘Himmerland Hill’, it played just 79 yards in 2015, the shortest par three in Tour history, and has provided plenty of incredible moments of the years.
In 2017, Bjørn received a hero’s reception from the huge crowds that had gathered around the green as the Dane celebrated his 500th Tour appearance. Among the tributes from fans and players alike, Bjørn was treated to a rendition of the club's anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' as he walked up to the short par three.
Organisers have also added to the atmosphere over the years by handing out rubber birds – named Benny the Birdie, Eddie the Eagle and Andy the Ace – which squeak when squeezed, helping fans to make even more noise.
Open Qualifying Series
Made in HimmerLand marks the second of three consecutive events on the DP World Tour in which three spots are up for grabs at the 151st Open Championship, being held from July 20-23.
Following last week’s Betfred British Masters, Made in HimmerLand is the next chance players have to earn one of three spots that are available to those not already exempt. The Open Qualifying Series will then culminate at the end of the Genesis Scottish Open – the third Rolex Series event of the season.
The top three players not already exempt who make the cut will book their ticket to Royal Liverpool Golf Club for the final Major of the year. Last week's top three - winner Daniel Hillier, Oliver Wilson and Gunner Wiebe (who follows in his father's footsteps with an appearance), all earned their place in the field. Dan Bradbury, Sami Välimäki, Christian Bezuidenhout, Haydn Barron, Alejandro Cañizares and Lee earned their places at Hoylake via the series at the Joburg Open and ISPS HANDA Australian Open respectively earlier this season.
Home hopes
Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard are among a host of home favourites aiming to become the first Danish players to win the Made in HimmerLand title.
With Thorbjørn Olesen and fellow multiple Tour winners Søren Kjeldsen, Lucas Bjerregaard, Bjørn and Joachim B. Hansen also in the field, the home crowds will have plenty to root for during the week.
Of those, Olesen is the best placed on the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, sitting 10th, courtesy of his victory at the Thailand Classic earlier this season.
Challenge Tour roots
Before the first European Tour staging of Made in HimmerLand (previously known as Made in Denmark) in 2014, Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort made its home for four years on the Challenge Tour between 1994-1998.
But that’s not the only Challenge Tour connection. In seven of the previous eight editions of this event, the tournament has been won by former Challenge Tour players. Oliver Wilson earned the title last year, and was preceded by Bernd Wiesberger (2021, 2020), Matt Wallace (2018), Julian Suri (2017), David Horsey (2015) and Marc Warren (2014).
In addition, Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort also hosted the 2018 edition of the Made in Denmark Challenge, won by Dane Joachim B. Hansen – who features in the field this week.
This year, there have been three Challenge Tour graduates from 2022 who have won on the DP World Tour. Will this week make a fourth?
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