A back-nine birdie bonanza propelled Nicolai Højgaard previous numerous heavy hitters and into the winner’s circle on the 2023 DP World Tour Championship. The Dane’s final-round 8-under 64 featured 5 instantly birdies from Nos. 13-17, and used to be sufficient for him to succeed in 21 beneath, two transparent of Ryder Cup teammates Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland in addition to in a single day chief Matt Wallace.
“It means a lot, it’s the sweetest one,” mentioned Højgaard. “So much hard work has been put in over the past couple of years — it feels amazing. This is for family and everything they put in over the years. So much hard work going into this, for it to happen like this is unbelievable.
“We know there are numerous birdies, however we need to hit the photographs and hollow the putts, anything else can occur, we had been simply targeted at the activity these days, to stroll up 18 realizing there is a excellent likelihood feels excellent. I performed some in reality excellent golfing. I’ve to mention that is the most productive golfing I’ve performed in a event and the most powerful box in my 3 wins. My recreation feels excellent, I felt excellent sooner than going out, and to complete it like this feels excellent. This is the sweetest method to end the yr. I cant consider we completed on any such prime word. I’m unquestionably going to experience this.”
Højgaard’s victory marks his 3rd at the DP World Tour and his first in a Rolex Series match. He finishes the season-long Race to Dubai in 2nd position in the back of Rory McIlroy, who had wrapped up his 5th European crown on the onset of the week due to his season-long efficiency. The 22-year-old may be projected to climb within the most sensible 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings for the primary time in his occupation. Should his place in the sector ratings persist till the tip of the calendar yr, Højgaard will earn his first invitation into the Masters as neatly.
In the early levels of the overall around, it used to be no longer Højgaard however quite Fleetwood who emerged as the person to overcome. Converting a 40-foot eagle bid at the par-5 2d, the Englishman surged forward via two. Despite some jostling at the leaderboard, Fleetwood’s lead remained two after back-to-back birdies on Nos. 10-11.
Only then did Højgaard start to pester. After shedding a shot at the twelfth, Højgaard rattled off 5 instantly birdies to drag one transparent of Fleetwood forward of the par-5 finisher. Missing a 4-foot birdie alternative at the closing, Højgaard sunk his face into his cap realizing he left the door ajar.
Fortunately for him, and sadly for Fleetwood, his closest pursuer used to be not able to stroll via. A 3-putt bogey at the seventeenth for the second one consecutive day supposed Fleetwood used to be in want of an eagle at the closing to power a playoff. After lacking the green and being pressured to put up, Fleetwood’s likelihood used to be long past and gave manner for the Højgaard circle of relatives to start their celebrations.
While Nicolai completed atop the leaderboard, dual brother Rasmus completed one spot outdoor the highest 10 gamers who earned PGA Tour club in accordance with their Race to Dubai status. Adrian Meronk, Ryan Fox, Thorbjørn Olesen, Alexander Bjork, Sami Valimaki, Robert MacIntyre, Matthieu Pavon, Jorge Campillo and Ryo Hisatsune make up those that will take the plunge from Europe to the PGA Tour in 2024.