Nicolai Hojgaard had one of the most bizarre scorecards in the early stages of the 89th Masters.
Last year the Dane made his debut and, after a superb start where he briefly led on the Saturday, slowly tailed off into a tie for 16th. This time around he had everything from a 2 to a 7 as he opened up with a two-over 74.
Hojgaard made the most miserable start, with a bogey and double-bogey, but he was somehow in the lead after eight holes. That was thanks to birdies at 3, 4 ,5, 7 and 8 before he bogeyed the 9th for an outward half of 35.
“It’s a very tough start on this golf course. The holes played fairly simple this morning, not much wind right in front of you. Made it a little bit hard to get out of the gates but managed to bounce back pretty well. I was very proud of how I fought back. I think that’s something I’ll remember for long time, that you have a bad start and always bounce back,” explained the 24-year-old.
There was then a big shove to the right of the 10th, from where he chipped into sand en route to another double-bogey and he then found the water at the 12th for a third double.
But, true to form, he then eagled the 15th to get back to one over.
“That set up pretty nicely for a 6-iron. I had a flare in my irons to the right, and missed it slightly, but kind of knew it should carry still. Ended up being perfect.”
Two bogeys, a double and five birdies. Denmark's Nicolai Højgaard makes the turn at one under par. #themasters pic.twitter.com/CYvDlky7Cj
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025
But there was then three bogeys to finish – all of which added up to a 74 – with just four pars on the card.
“The game has not been sharp lately. I am working hard on a few things. It takes probably a little bit longer than I want it to. I can see bits out there that’s really good so that makes me look a little bit brighter at the state of my game at the moment. I feel it’s not too far away but when I make a mistake these last few months, it’s really gone wrong and just makes me wonder why that happens sometimes.”
Nicolai is currently working with Butch Harmon and he is currently battling three straight missed cuts on the PGA Tour.
“It’s tough when you’re always like on the edge of good things then you back down and crawl back up. It’s a grind, but that’s part of it. You’re going to have spells where it’s going to feel like that. I just got to accept my situation and how I’m playing at the moment and I know there is a lot of good stuff in there. Obviously got to manage the mistakes a little bit better.”
Twin brother Rasmus is making his Masters debut this week and his scorecard was a stark contrast to Nicolai’s.
Rasmus reeled off 14 pars and a birdie in his first 15 holes, avoiding any pitfalls.
Unfortunately, he wobbled late with bogeys at 16 and 17 to sign for a 1-over 73 and finish the day in tied 38th.
READ MORE: Six major headlines from day one of the 89th Masters at Augusta National
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