Rasmus Hojgaard and Nicolai Hojgaard (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Denmark’s golfing twins, Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard, are just 23, but they’ve already made serious waves in professional golf. Both are now based in South Florida and regularly competing on the PGA Tour, which is pretty remarkable when you think about it. Their story — going from kids literally fighting over who gets the front seat after junior tournaments to becoming the first twins ever to tee it up together at the Masters — well, that’s something special.
You can tell they’re twins when you see them, but their personalities? Totally different. Nicolai’s got this quiet, analytical thing going on — he’s the type who probably has spreadsheets for his practice sessions. Rasmus seems more laid-back, though don’t let that fool you. The competitive fire burns just as bright. Together, they’re part of this new wave of European talent that’s really shaking things up on tour.
From Front Seat Battles to Mutual Support
So I had to ask them about those early days. You know, when winning meant everything — including who got to ride shotgun on the way home from tournaments.
“I think it’s more supportive now than it was back then,” Rasmus tells RG. “We didn’t really understand how to deal with losing to each other, as we were so young, and Nico is really the only person I could consistently compare myself to. But as we’ve naturally matured, we appreciate the journey and the up-and-down nature of our careers as professional golfers.”
Nicolai laughs when I bring up the front seat thing. “That’s exactly right. Back when we were young, it was fun to have that pressure of trying to win the front seat. It’s funny looking back, as that meant so much at that time. Now we are trying to win our own golf tournaments and seeing each other win. So as much as I still want to beat Ras, I’m very happy if he wins.”
That’s growth right there. Most siblings would probably still be keeping score, but these guys have figured out how to channel that competitive energy in a way that actually helps both of them. It didn’t happen overnight — it took years of dealing with the ups and downs of professional golf to get there.
Lessons From 30,000 Feet
Their dad’s a pilot, which might seem random, but it’s actually had a huge impact on how they approach pressure situations. Think about it — when you’re responsible for hundreds of passengers at 30,000 feet, you better have your head on straight.
“We learned a lot from our dad. He’s an extremely structured person, and I think that helped us stay disciplined in our approach,” Nicolai explains.
You can see it in how methodical he is about everything — preparation, practice routines, even how he talks about the game.
But Rasmus puts it in perspective: “We aren’t flying planes with people onboard, so our pressure is different. But we could see the advantage in having a level head and how you can potentially be more in control of situations if you keep your emotions in check. It definitely helped, but it’s quite different at the same time.”
Fair point. Missing a putt won’t crash a plane, but the principle of staying calm under pressure? That transfers perfectly.
Making History at Augusta
Fast-forward to 2024, and both brothers are at Augusta National for the Masters — the first twins ever to play in the tournament together. Let that sink in for a second.
“It was such a cool experience!” Rasmus says, and you can hear the excitement in his voice even now. “I had to watch Nicolai in 2023 play the Masters and naturally wished it was me, so I was personally looking forward to this year. I took some advice from Nico, but I also needed to find my own game plan for the week.”
For Nicolai, having his twin brother there made the whole experience even more special.
Imagine being kids in Denmark, dreaming about playing Augusta, and then actually doing it together. That’s the stuff movies are made of.
Turning Setback Into Success
But let’s be real — the road to Augusta wasn’t smooth sailing for everyone. Rasmus had a tough break in 2023, just missing out on his PGA Tour card right when Nicolai was hitting his stride. That’s got to mess with your head.
“It was such a strange experience in 2023, as Nicolai had earned his PGA Tour card and obviously won the DP World Tour Championship, so I had massive mixed feelings of being very happy for him and very disappointed for myself,” Rasmus admits. “I was very proud of the way I reflected and processed that week. I knew I had missed a lot of the season with injury; therefore, I felt if I could stay fit and healthy, 2024 could be a year where I put myself in a better position. Fortunately, that worked out to be the case.”
That’s mature beyond his years, honestly. Being genuinely happy for your brother while dealing with your own disappointment? Not easy to do, but it shows the kind of character these guys have.
Pressure Moments and Clutch Performance
And boy, did 2024 work out for Rasmus. His win at the Irish Open was something else — especially that bunker shot on 17 with Rory McIlroy breathing down his neck. Talk about pressure.
“Strangely, when you’re in a situation of being in contention in an event that Rory is trying to win, the only option I had was to try and keep making birdies, as I knew he wasn’t going to slip up,” Rasmus explains. “I hit a poor shot into 17, but knew I needed to focus and try and get up and down. Fortunately, it went in, and I felt if I could birdie the last, I’ve done all I can and put some pressure on Rory.”
Most golfers would probably freeze up in that situation. Instead, Rasmus holes it out and puts the pressure right back on one of the game’s biggest stars. That’s championship-level thinking.
Different Approaches, Shared Learning
People always want to know how the twins differ in their approach to golf. The easy answer is that Nicolai’s more analytical, but he’s got a more nuanced take on it.
“I think we are both analytical in our own ways. I’m a little more intense, a bit more structured and probably harder on myself. I do look at Ras’s approach and try to take some parts, but it’s a dangerous game to try and change what makes someone good at what they do. I think it’s important for us to learn from each other’s experiences but also carve out our own identities. What works for Ras may not work for me, but I’ve certainly benefited from certain aspects of his game or approach that we talk about behind closed doors.”
Smart approach. They’re learning from each other without trying to become carbon copies. That’s probably why they’ve both been successful — they’ve stayed true to what works for them individually.
Learning From the Best
Speaking of Nicolai’s experiences, his run at the 2024 Masters was pretty special. He actually led the tournament briefly on Saturday, which had to be a rush.
“I took a lot from that Saturday. To see your name at the top of a leaderboard of a major is a very cool thing, so the positive part I took from it was: I know when my game is on, I can compete at the highest level at the biggest events. The part I need to learn going forward is how to deal with situations when they can get away from you very quickly. I was fortunate to play with Scottie that day, and he had a similar patch of golf where it could have gotten away from him, but he executed the shots he needed to and finished off strong. That was very impressive to witness firsthand.”
Playing with Scottie Scheffler when things are getting dicey? That’s like getting a master class in how to handle pressure from one of the best in the world. Those are the moments that really accelerate your learning curve.
Building a Florida Base
The brothers share a place in South Florida now, which makes sense when you think about their schedules. They’re practicing together regularly, which keeps that competitive dynamic alive.
Rasmus agrees: “As Nico says, having someone who can motivate you on a daily basis is a significant reason for our success. Now we get to do that while playing the PGA Tour.”
Having your built-in practice partner and motivator living under the same roof? That’s a pretty sweet setup. Most guys have to pay for that kind of accountability.
Panther National (Photo by panthernational.com)
The Ultimate Dream Pairing
So I had to ask: What if they end up paired together in the final group of a major someday? The reaction was interesting.
“It’s definitely something we want to happen and hope it becomes a reality. We haven’t really discussed specifics or what it might be like. Maybe we will the night before to ensure we stay focused on our own games and not get drawn into trying to just beat each other,” Rasmus says.
Nicolai’s thinking strategically about it: “Exactly. We will have to remember that we are not just playing against each other — there will be many great players wanting to win — so it will really be a case of staying focused and present on our own game plans.”
Can you imagine the TV ratings for that? Twin brothers going head-to-head for a major championship. Golf fans would lose their minds.
Home Away From Home at Panther National
Their training base at Panther National wasn’t a random choice. They did their homework.
Rasmus focuses on the practical side: “As much as it’s great to enjoy the environment, we wanted the best facilities, and Panther certainly has that. We’ve spent a lot of time around the short-game area, par 3, and having the U.S. Open fairway is great prep for next week at Oakmont.”
Smart thinking. When you’re competing at the highest level, having access to top-tier facilities can make all the difference. Plus, feeling at home probably doesn’t hurt when you’re spending that much time there.
