Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen is hoping he can draw on the vast knowledge around him as his meteoric rise in the professional ranks continues at the Team Cup.
The 25-year-old, who entered the paid ranks in June 2023, secured automatic promotion to the DP World Tour last season by winning three titles on the Challenge Tour.
Neergaard-Petersen was one of five Danes in the original Continental Europe line-up to face Great Britain & Ireland, with that number reduced to four after the withdrawal of Nicolai Højgaard due to illness on Thursday.
He will team up with countryman Rasmus Højgaard in Friday’s opening fourballs session against English duo Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter.
And with Team Europe Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald, Thomas Bjørn and Paul McGinley among those watching on at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort, he is relishing the chance to compete among Major champions and Ryder Cup winners.
“I feel incredible. Super excited to be here this week,” he said. “Obviously the last 12 months, or even just 18 months since I turned professional, it's been crazy. It's gone so fast.
“I had a good talk with Paul McGinley today walking up the 11th. One of the things he told me was that one of the people he felt really got it right was Monty [Colin Montgomerie], and he said he didn't bother trying to reinvent himself.
•** Team Cup: Meet the teams - Continental Europe**
•** Team Cup: Day one pairings for Friday’s fourballs announced**
“He said he just got better at what he was doing good already.
“It's so easy coming out already as a rookie walking up-and-down the range and seeing the likes of Rory and other people you've seen from afar.
"It's easy to start saying, okay, What is he doing, let me start doing that, instead of just sticking with what got you there in the first place. I think that's one thing that I'm definitely taking from this week already.
“Then there's so many legends here. So much experience. Just trying to draw as much of that as I possibly can and hopefully use it down the line as well.”
Ranked inside the top 100 on the Official World Golf Ranking, Neergard-Petersen is the latest in the production line of Danish talent to make their mark, following the likes of the Højgaard twins who he played alongside in team competition as amateurs.
With countrymen Thorbjørn Olesen and Niklas Nørgaard also teeing it up this week in the United Arab Emirates, it is helping Neergaard-Petersen feel at ease in what is the first event of 2025 on the DP World Tour.
“I feel like I know the people here, and I feel really comfortable, and I feel like if there's anything, any questions that I have, I can come to those guys and they will be willing and happy to help,” he added.
With his Rolex Series debut to come next week at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Neergard-Petersen's progression is likely to continue to gather pace, and Rasmus Højgaard is not surprised by what his compatriot has accomplished in a quick timeframe.
"I think we all knew that he was going to get out here [on the DP World Tour] and that he's going to get to America, as well," said Højgaard.
"You know, looking back to, I think it was 2017, we won the European boys team championship and he was out last and got the job done for us. It's quite cool to see, and playing together today [in practice] and later in the week as well. I'm very happy for him. He's a fantastic player."
