Nicolai Hojgaard

Just like two years ago, Nicolai Højgaard left it as late as possible to join his twin brother Rasmus in the field, taking the second of three Open Qualifying Series places up for grabs at the Genesis Scottish Open, where he closed with a 64 to take a share of fourth spot in the tournament.

Nicolai was the first of the pair to make the Ryder Cup, being selected as a wild card for the last match in Rome, and also the first to make the game’s top 30. That came just after he won the 2023 DP World Tour Championship to finish runner-up to Rory McIlroy on the Race to Dubai rankings.

His Open debut at Carnoustie in 2018 was as European Amateur Champion and the twins then became Eisenhower Trophy world team champions in Ireland, pipping by one stroke an American line-up which included Collin Morikawa.

Three years later they shared more history as the first brothers to win back-to-back DP World Tour events. Rasmus struck first at the Omega European Masters (the third of his five Tour titles), then Nicolai lifted the Italian Open for the first of his three victories.