2023 Made in HimmerLand Preview, Picks & Analysis

THE build-up for the 151st Open Championship continues with all eyes on twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard at the Made in HimmerLand in Denmark.

Last year’s tournament was won by Oliver Wilson, who surprised everybody, including himself, by securing what was only his second DP World Tour title. He best Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson by a shot to win for the first time in eight years.

It was a remarkable story as his game fell apart and he dropped outside the top 700 in the world, but the victory gave him a two-year exemption. 

“There have been some dark times and they (team and sponsors) have all stuck with me so this is for them as well,” Wilson said.

Wilson started the day in Denmark as joint leader but a run of pars saw him slip back into a crowded bunch of players. Ferguson was the man who made the forward move and swiftly overturned the deficit as two birdies and an eagle took him to the turn in 32 shots.

Wilson found himself two adrift of Ferguson with six to play, but the contest boiled down to a battle between the two when the former made a stunning birdie from long range on 13.

Ferguson was unable to find any birdies on the run for home, but made a brilliant par on 18 after finding thick rough off the tee to get in the clubhouse at 20-under.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Home fans would love to see either one of the Hojgaard twins lift the trophy this week. 

An added bonus is that there will be three spots at Hoylake up for grabs for the top three players not already exempt. 

Rasmus and Nicolai have their eyes on securing Ryder Cup places. Nicolai contributed to an historic double on the European Tour as he won his first title at the DS Automobiles Italian Open, the week after his identical twin brother Rasmus was victorious at the Omega European Masters. The Hojgaards became the first brothers to win in back-to-back weeks on the European Tour.

A strong finish to the 2021 season, runner-up at the Portugal Masters and T4 at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, saw Nicolai finish eighth on the Race to Dubai after just his second full season on Tour. 

He won his second DP World Tour title at the 2022 Ras Al Khaimah Championship and has enjoyed some success on the PGA Tour in 2023. 

He finished in a tie for fifth at both the Thailand Classic and Italian Open and made the cut at the US PGA Championship. 

At 18 years and 271 days old, Rasmus became the third youngest winner in European Tour history with a dramatic play-off triumph at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in just his fifth European Tour start.

The victory made him the fastest Dane to a European Tour title, beating 15 time European Tour winner Thomas Bjørn's record of 24 events. Had secured his card for the 2020 season at European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage, becoming the first player born in the 21st century to graduate from the Qualifying School.

He then became the second-youngest player in European Tour history to record multiple wins after securing his second title at the 2020 ISPS Handa UK Championship at the age of 19 years and 171 days.

Rasmus then secured his third European Tour title at the age of just 20, winning the 2021 Omega European Masters, carding a final round 63 to claim a one stroke victory. This hasn’t been a great season thus far but he showed signs of a welcome return to form when he finished tied third at the KLM Open.

Tournament Winners

It was won in 2015 by David Horsey, in 2016 by Thomas Pieters, in 2017 by Julian Suri, in 2018 by Matt Wallace, in 2019 and 2021 by Bernd Wiesberger and last year by Oliver Wilson. There was no tournament in 2020 because of the pandemic.

The Course

Himmerland is a par 71 that measures just 6,686 yards, although it does feature a par five measuring 645 yards. There are several risk-and-reward par fours. Look out for some spectacular scoring.

Form Guide

Hojgaard twins Nicolai and Rasmus will surely be inspired by performing in front of a home crowd, but fellow Dane Thorbjorn Olesen is riding high in the Race to Dubai, with one victory, a third place and two other top-10 finishes this season.

To Win:

Nicolai Hojgaard. Has moved up a class in 2023

Each Way:

Rasmus Hojgaard. Beautiful ball striker

Each Way:

Thorbjorn Olesen. Desperate to make Ryder Cup team

Five to Follow:

Nicolai Hojgaard. Fabulous temperament

Rasmus Hojgaard. Wonderful touch around the greens

Thorbjorn Olesen. Has found a new level of consistency

Pablo Larrazabal. Enjoying a wonderful season.

Ewen Ferguson. Hugely gifted Scot

Five Outsiders to Watch:

Nicolas Colsaerts. Course will suit the veteran

Lucas Bjerregaard. A man in search of past glories

JC Ritchie. Hits the ball a mile

Mike Lorenza-Vera. Elegant golfer

Thomas Aiken. Has experienced some injury woes