Nicolai Hojgaard lands maiden European Tour title at the Italian Open
Hojgaard brothers enter the record books by winning back-to-back tournaments on the European Tour.
Nicolai Hojgaard birdied the final hole to win his maiden European Tour title at the Italian Open, coming a week after his brother Rasmus Hojgaard wrapped up his third European Tour title at the European Masters.
The Hojgaard brothers become the first brothers to win back-to-back in European Tour history.
Nicolai, who becomes the youngest ever winner of the Italian Open, birdied the final hole to finish 13-under par and one shot ahead of Tommy Fleetwood and Adrian Meronk.
What a shot Nicolai Højgaard!#DSOpendItalia pic.twitter.com/Qj8UiTGn0v
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 5, 2021
"It's crazy, it's been such a tough day... I've been through every f***** emotion," said Hojgaard.
"This is what I've worked for my entire life.
"I felt a bit uncomfortable out there with my pace today. I kept putting pressure on myself all the time.
"But on 18, we had to make four, and we did it. To do that makes me really happy.
"I was really nervous standing over the three footer at the last, I could barely hold the putter, but it went in and I'm just so happy."
The winning moment & celebrations #DSOpendItalia pic.twitter.com/K3Igrir58u
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 5, 2021
An emotional Nicolai reflects on his win #DSOpendItalia pic.twitter.com/i1EjhiwKGL
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 5, 2021
Hojgaard held a two-shot lead with five holes to play but bogeyed the 14th and 15th to fall back into a tie for the lead.
He then narrowly cleared the water by inches down the 16th en route to making a par.
Hojgaard two-putted for par from 20 feet at the 17th and he then went on to birdie the par-5 18th when sending in a wedge to three feet from just inside of 100 yards.
The Højgaard twins win on back-to-back weeks to become the first brothers to do so in Tour history. Amazing!#DSOpendItalia pic.twitter.com/btUEY3IJ8D
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 5, 2021