Masters week has arrived, and after a slight weather delay, the tournament is underway.
Legacies are defined at Augusta National, but for some young golfers, it’s a dream come true to even participate in the prestigious event. Some first-timers could crumble under the Masters pressure, but others make a name for themselves on one of the golf’s biggest stages.
The latter is the case for Danish star Nicolai Hojgaard, who had a breakout performance on the first day of the tournament despite playing through brutal conditions.
Hojgaard was one of several golfers whose first round was suspended due to darkness, so he’ll have to try and pick up his magic where he left off on Friday morning.
Until then, get to know the 23-year-old who is sitting near the top of the Masters leaderboard.
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Nicolai Hojgaard Masters first-round score
Hojgaard was rolling at Augusta before play was suspended. The Danish breakout star is in sole possession of third place, shooting 5-under through 15 holes. He had seven birdies and two bogies.
Hojgaard chipped in for birdie on hole No. 7 and hole No. 12.
After holing out for birdie on No. 7, Nicolai Højgaard chips in on No. 12 to move to four under par. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Z0uXdKoxNo
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2024
He will resume the remainder of the first round on Friday before teeing off for the second round.
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Who is Nicolai Hojgaard?
Hojgaard is a 23-year-old Danish golfer who plays on the PGA and European Tour.
Hojgaard made his first splash when he won the 2018 European Amateur, which qualified him for the 2018 Open Championship. Even though he missed the cut at the Open, he still turned professional the following year in 2019.
Hojgaard won his first European Tour event in 2021, taking home the DS Automobiles Italian Open. He has collected two European Tour wins since then, winning the Ras Al Khaimah Championship in 2022 and the DP World Tour Championship in November 2023.
He has participated in four majors since missing his first Open Championship cut. He missed the cut at the 2022 PGA Championship, then placed tied for 53rd at the 2022 Open Championship.
This past year was the first time he made consecutive cuts in majors. He finished tied for 50th in the 2023 PGA Championship and tied for 23rd in the 2023 Open Championship.
Hojgaard is currently the 38th-best golfer in the world, according to World Golf Ranking.
Nicolai Hojgaard’s brother
Hojgaard has a twin brother, Rasmus, who also plays on the European Tour.
In 2021, they became the first brothers to win back-to-back weeks on the European Tour. Nicolai won the DS Automobiles Italian Open and one week later, Rasmus won the Omega European Masters.
Rasmus is currently the 81st-best golfer in the world, according to World Golf Ranking.
