Nicolai Højgaard is cherishing the possibility to safeguard his title at today’s Ras Al Khaimah Championship, with the Danish feeling headlining a celebrity- studded area of Rolex Series victors, previous Ryder Cup captains and also a Major champ at Al Hamra Golf Club from February 2- 5.
The 21- year- old stormed to success finally period’s event, winning by 4 strokes from Jordan Smith as he carded a 4 under par last round 68 on the Peter Harradine- developed format.
“It was a special week last year and I’m really looking forward to getting back out there,” claimed Højgaard “From when we first got to Al Hamra, as the week evolved, I started playing some good golf and my driving was probably what made the main difference that week. On the key holes I drove it really well. If you drive it well here you can get a nice long carry which is definitely an advantage. It won’t surprise me if a long hitter wins the event this week.”
The 2023 Ras Al Khaimah Championship will certainly note the 2nd time Højgaard has targeted the defence of a title after completing in share of 27th finally year’sItalian Open, a year after declaring his first DP World Tour title at Marco Simone Golf & & Country Club– this year’s Ryder Cup host place.
“When I returned to defend my title in Italy it was pretty cool,” he claimed. “I went out there knowing I had already played well on the course and that showed in my game for most of the week, so I don’t think there is more pressure as such. You get good memories every time you’re on a certain tee box or hitting an approach shot as you know you’ve been in this position before and executed it well. It’s different returning to a course where you’ve won but in a cool way.”
Victor Perez, champion of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and also 2- time DP World Tour champion Adrian Meronk will certainly sign up with Højgaard at the conclusion of the Desert Swing, together with previous Ryder Cup captains Thomas Bj ørn and also Padraig Harrington, that has additionally won 3 Major Championships.
Meanwhile, George Coetzee obtained his week off to the ideal begin with success in the floodlit Monday night Pro-Am along with Smbat Pogosyan, Stamen Stantchev and also Salekh Al Aroud, with the foursome completing on 16 under the same level. Richie Ramsay led his group of Will Kent, Claudine Foong and also Gurbax Singh to 2nd, while Oliver Wilson’s group, being composed of Harry Grimshaw, Jon Turner and also Mohamed Suleiman, came 3rd.
Fans are welcomed to sign up free of cost tickets to the event below.
