- Slug: Sports Phoenix Open Hojgaard Brothers. 500 words.
- Photo available.
By Dan Allison
Cronkite News
SCOTTSDALE – For spectators keeping tabs Thursday on the WM Phoenix Open, they may be under the assumption that too much time in the desert heat can cause double vision.
Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, Danish twin brothers who both turned pro in 2019, left their family name imprinted on the leaderboard, with both holding solo leads at one point in the round. Rasmus sits tied for 10th place at 3-under, with Nicolai posting a 5-under to end his day in a third-place tie. Taylor Moore leads the field at 7-under.
“There was a few times I looked over (at the scoreboard). We walked down 11, he was on 15 and I saw he was three or four under,” Nicolai said. “It didn’t surprise me, he’s played well for a long time. Happy to see him play well and hopefully we both keep it up.”
Rasmus started his day with back-to-back birdies on holes 10 and 11, giving him an early lead in the morning. Ramsus started the show, but Nicolai would earn the last laugh with three birdies in his last five holes.
“I feel like putting was the highlight. Felt like I rolled the putter very nicely.” Nicolai said. “I got on a good run on the back nine, very happy with the situation. But there are a few things I’d like to improve”
Rasmus added, “We look at it very similar. It’s not like one of us looks at it (golf) completely differently than the other. We do talk a lot about what is the right strategy.”
These similarities showed on the leaderboard, with the brothers posting the same score on eight of the 18 holes, including eagles on the third hole and bogeys on the ninth hole.
The Danish siblings have 62 PGA Tour events combined under their belts, but key offseason adjustments could be the reason one of them (or both) will find their first victory.
“Having a place in the U.S. is probably the biggest difference,” Nicolai said. ”You get into midseason, you get into majors, travel becomes too much. I love playing out here, and with the adjustment of having a base I think it will have a cause and effect.”
Nicolai, the older brother by one minute, convinced Rasmus to join him in Florida, where they rent a place and spend quality time on and off the golf course.
“We like to play tennis together. Back home we follow soccer, we both support Manchester United,” Rasmus said.
Florida’s new residents will have to adjust to the desert this week, with both brothers making their WM Phoenix Open debut. The Højgaard brothers look to advance to the weekend with another strong showing in Friday’s second round.
Rasmus will tee off at 12:22 p.m., with Nicolai soon to follow at 1:39 p.m.
“I’ve seen it on TV, and you got to experience it at some point,” Nicolai said of the rowdy Phoenix Open. “I love playing in front of big crowds. If you don’t love it, you are going to have a hard time.”
For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.
