Nicolai Højgaard highlights ‘huge’ influence of Thomas Bjørn as he vaults into Olympics contention

Nicolai Højgaard credited the “huge” influence of European great Thomas Bjørn after he vaulted into medal contention Saturday at the Olympic men’s golf competition.

The three-time DP World Tour winner hit his stride in third round at Le Golf National equalling the course record with a bogey-free, 9-under 62 that included an eagle and two birdies over the closing five holes.

That score leaves Højgaard three shots adrift of defending gold medallist Xander Schauffele and Ryder Cup-winning teammate Jon Rahm ahead of the final round of the 72-hole individual stroke-play competition.

And with countryman Bjørn – who led Europe to Ryder Cup victory at this week’s host venue in 2018 – on site in his role as team captain, Højgaard didn’t hide how beneficial he has been for him and Denmark teammate Thorbjørn Olesen.

“It's huge,” he said regarding Bjørn’s presence. “We are having a great time. It's important to have a good time, as well. But he's a guy who has been a big part of my golf career and a big part of Thorbjørn's, as well. So to have him here, and he's obviously a huge character to have around. He was very successful in 2018.

“Yeah, it's good to have him around. He brings some good stuff to the table and yeah, it's just pretty cool to play a good round in front of him.”

Bjørn was a delighted observer himself for much of it and didn’t hide his pride in how well Højgaard had performed.

“Today was as good a performance as I've seen in a long time and certainly from a 23-year-old,” he said.

However, when it was put to Bjørn how much acclaim he deserved, the 15-time DP World Tour played it down.

“I took him to a good restaurant yesterday that he liked,” he said with a smile. “That's about the credit I'll take.”

It was a good day all around for the two Danish players in action this week, as Olesen also climbed the leaderboard with a 66 that featured six birdies and a lone bogey.

Asked which restaurant the Danish team had visited on Friday, Bjørn replied: “It was French bistro that we always go to when we play, Le Limousin, which we always go there when we play the French Open.

“They wanted to get out of the hotel last night, and kind of have a bit more normal night than what they do week-in and week-out. It was a nice evening for them, both of them, and Thorbjørn played well, as well.

“We have an unbelievably good atmosphere between the two of them and in the group with their caddies, and the small group that we are here. The women [Emily Kristine Pedersen and Nanna Koerstz Madsen] arrive tonight, and then we are going to have a nice dinner with them.”

Højgaard is no stranger to the Albatros course on the outskirts of Paris, having played the FedEx Open de France in 2019 and 2022, but he admits the way he navigated the tough closing stretch was of particular delight.

“I've struggled a little bit on the finishing holes the last two days,” he said. “So, for me today, it was a huge win for me to see myself hit fairways and hit two good iron shots into the last two.”

After a pair of 70s over the opening two days, Højgaard now believes he has put himself in the “perfect position” to challenge for a medal.

“I think I went out there just like there's nothing to lose, we are so far behind,” he reflected. “We are going out, playing aggressive, trying to hit some good shots. I thought I gave myself good chances on the first three or four holes and was 1-under. So, I felt like I was probably chasing a little bit.

“Made a few birdies to start with (three in a row from the fourth),” Højgaard continued. “That makes the next few holes easier, and that way you can relax a little bit into the round.

“I was playing with more quality today, hitting the fairways and the greens, and that's the difference on this golf course, hitting fairways and giving yourself shots into the greens. I was in control today, and it was pretty nice.”

Højgaard made his debut at the Masters Tournament earlier this year, and alongside his experience of playing in a Ryder Cup, he feels he’s equipped to handle the inevitable pressure that come with being towards the top of a leaderboard.

“Every time you get up there and you're in the week, it doesn't matter which tournament it is,” he said. “You can always feel the nerves, but that's what we practise and play for. So, it was pretty cool to see and good to convince myself again that I can do it down the stretch in the third round.

“But now it's a completely different thing tomorrow. We are going to go out, there's a medal on the line. Going to go out and try to do the same thing and stay patient. It's always slightly tough on a Sunday.”

But with the know-how of Bjørn to call upon, Højgaard could hardly hope for a better guide ahead of what could materialise as the biggest day so far of his career.