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Nicolai makes it five wins for the Hojgaard twins with Ras Al Khaimah Championship success

Nicolai Hojgaard smiling

Nicolai Hojgaard added to the Danish duo’s trophy haul on the DP World Tour by scoring a four-shot success at Al Hamra GC.

This time it was Nicolai's turn.

The Hojgaard twins have taken the DP World Tour by storm in the last couple of seasons.
Still only 20 years old, the prodigious young Danes now have five DP World Tour victories between them after Nicolai shot 24-under to power to a four-shot win in the Ras Al Khaimah Championship in the United Arab Emirates.
Nicolai came under serious pressure in the final round, seeing a five-shot lead turn to a two-shot deficit on the back nine.
But there's something special about the Hojgaard brothers and Nicolai found another gear to pull away.
Here, Planet Sport looks at the dynamic duo's five DP World Tour wins.

Rasmus - AfrAsian Bank Mauritius Open (December 2019)

Rasmus turned pro at the start of 2019 and, aged just 18, grabbed his first win before the calendar year was out.

It came via a play-off as he held off Renato Paratore and Antoine Rozner to win at the third extra hole after the trio had all posted 19-under (Rasmus shot 66-69-66-68).
This was just Rasmus' fifth start at the highest level and made him the third youngest winner in European Tour history. He was also the first ET winner to be born in the 2000s.

Rasmus - ISPS Handa UK Championship (August 2020)

A second victory for Rasmus and again he showed his mettle by winning a play-off against South African veteran Justin Walters.

Nine back after round one, seven adrift at halfway and five off the pace after 54 holes, Rasmus came storming through with a closing 65 to finish at 14-under.
In landing the title (73-69-67-65) he became the second youngest multiple winner in Tour history.

Rasmus - Omega European Masters (August 2021)

Rasmus added his third title on an afternoon of high drama up in the Swiss mountains.

Four shots back going into the final round, he played the final six holes in 5-under to post a brilliant 63 and set the clubhouse target of 13-under. Would it be enough?

One ahead walking off 17, Bernd Wiesberger looked set to take the title but double bogeyed the final hole to leave Rasmus as a three-time Tour winner at the age of just 20.

Nicolai - Italian Open (September 2021)

A week after watching Rasmus become a three-time winner, Nicolai banked his first victory via one-shot success over Tommy Fleetwood and Adrian Meronk.
A shot clear at start of play, Nicolai needed a closing birdie to seal victory and he found it to win with 13-under (66-69-65-71).
"It means a lot," he said. "Seeing Rasmus win three times made me want to do it even more."

Nicolai - Ras Al Khaimah Championship (February 2022)

In golden position to add a second win after shooting rounds of 67-65-64, Nicolai lost his way around the turn and slipped two behind Jordan Smith.
But, seizing the moment, he birdied the 13th, eagled the 14th and sealed a four-shot win with two further par breakers to win with 24-under after a closing 68.

"I had to dig deep out there," he said after completing his second victory. "I stepped up with a clutch finish so I'm really happy.

The Hojgaards by numbers

Tournaments played

Rasmus - 44
Nicolai - 54

Cuts Made

Rasmus - 27
Nicolai - 27

Wins

Rasmus - 3
Nicolai - 2

Prize Money

Rasmus - €1,501,904.86
Nicolai - €1,765,069.12

World Ranking

Rasmus - 98th
Nicolai - 100th (set to move to 66th after this win)

Conclusion

Five wins between them in a combined 98 starts is hugely impressive.
But it's the manner of those victories which adds to the feeling that the Hojgaards really do have the X Factor.

Rasmus has sealed glory thanks to closing rounds of 68, 65 and 63; twice he came through play-offs.

Nicolai birdied the final hole to land his first and then rallied after losing a big lead to play his final six holes in 5-under and win his second.

It's certainly intriguing that Nicolai's first win should come at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club which will stage the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Europe absolutely need fresh blood after their hammering at Whistling Straits and the Hojgaards must have every chance of providing it if their rapid rises continue.

As the Hojgaards' Danish compatriot and 2018 Ryder Cup-winning captain, Thomas Bjorn, told The Guardian: "They have everything.

"They have the game, the willingness to learn, they are hard workers and don't get ahead of themselves. We should be excited."

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