The 153rd British Open at Royal Portrush is witnessing a compelling narrative unfold: the Hojgaard twins, Rasmus and Nicolai, are making a significant impact on the leaderboard. Rasmus Hojgaard, after a stellar second round of 3-under-par 68, sits at 5-under for the tournament, placing him in contention and fueling dreams of becoming the first Danish player to ever win the prestigious British Open. He's currently five shots behind leader Scottie Scheffler.
Meanwhile, Nicolai Hojgaard is also making waves. His second-round 69 puts him at 4-under, just a stroke behind his twin brother. The friendly rivalry is adding an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament. "It's cool to see Ras playing well this week,” Nicolai commented. "I saw him quite early on the leaderboard, and I kind of wanted to follow it up. A little frustrated I didn't manage to get to 5 (under) where he is. I felt like the round had potential. But yeah, happy for him.”
Nicolai's participation in the Open was almost jeopardized due to a prior commitment. He had qualified through a strong finish at the Genesis Scottish Open, but it conflicted with a junior golf clinic he and Rasmus had promised to host in Denmark. Nicolai honored his commitment to the clinic, showcasing his dedication to giving back to the sport. "We’ve been on the national team since we were 12-13 years old and got a lot of help from the coaches and staff. It was an amazing time," Rasmus said. "We had been talking for a while that we wanted to do something for junior golf in Denmark. It was very important for us to be there." The clinic involved 108 junior golfers.
The twins' journey has been intertwined since they began playing golf at age 4 and turned professional in 2019. They even achieved the remarkable feat of winning European tour events in consecutive weeks in 2021. Now, both hold PGA Tour cards and are even potential Ryder Cup teammates.
Can the Hojgaard Twins Make History?
The question on everyone's mind is whether one of the Hojgaard twins can lift the Claret Jug. Their strong performances have positioned them as contenders, and their supportive, yet competitive, relationship is fueling their ambition. "I'm going to root for him," Rasmus said, "until we are on Sunday, back nine."
A Bond Forged in Competition
The twins acknowledge that their relationship wasn't always so supportive. Nicolai admitted that they struggled to handle each other's success when they were younger. However, they've matured and now motivate each other. This newfound maturity and mutual support could prove to be a powerful advantage as they navigate the challenges of the British Open.