Despite Near History at $9.2M PGA Tour Event, Nicolai & Rasmus Hojgaard Not Getting Their Ryder Cup Hopes Yet

After the two drought-ending tournaments, i.e., the Masters and the RBC Heritage, which helped the golfers in ending their long-overdue victory, they have set hopes high for the Zurich Classic. This will be the first team event of the season, which will feature teams of two. Apart from the unique format, it also marks the return of the defending champion, Rory McIlroy, and Shane Lowry. This has taken headlines by storm. But by the end of the first round, it wasn’t Team McIlroy who stood as per expectations.

But surprisingly, it was the brother duo, Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, who showed an exceptional feat with their performance. The pair tied for the record low with a round of 59, shooting 13 birdies. However, in a twist of events, that record was snatched by Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo.  Salinda and Velo had a tied record low with their 14 under, to set the new record low at 58.

Despite the Hojgaard brothers’ failure to set the record, they still received praise from the golf community. However, does this mean they have a chance of being a part of the Ryder Cup? With just a few months left, early drafts of the team have already begun; the Danish duo is also expected to be on the list of prospects.

But surprisingly, their statement during the press conference shattered the hopes for their selection at the Ryder Cup. The moderator asked them, “Do you think Luke Donald was watching, or do you hope he was watching?” To which Rasmus Hojgaard said, “I’m not too sure what his tee time was today, but I’m very sure he’s more focused about his own game today.” The 47-year-old showcased a great form as he recorded 6 birdies and an eagle to conclude the first round with 64. Donald is currently positioned at T29, and it will be interesting to see how he performs.

Rasmus Hojgaard, who sits in fourth place currently, has high hopes of participating in the Ryder Cup. However, the final call will be of the captain to have the top names on the team in the best form. Both brothers have had a less-than-satisfactory performance in the season till now, with Nicolai having 4 missed cuts and one top-10 finish, while Rasmus has 3 missed cuts and no top-10 finish yet.

Well, since the beginning of the 2025 schedule, Luke Donald has been active in praising and observing the players, but the doubt about Hojgaard is a sign of worry for his participation. Earlier, he even praised a LIV golfer who could be a prospect for the Ryder Cup team.

Luke Donald’s keen eyes on the Ryder Cup

Luke Donald in 2023 has shared how he will be considering LIV golfers to be a part of the roster. Now, with just 158 days to the tournament, the pressure on the captain is at its peak. He shared, “There’s a lot of anxiety. Most nights, you’re getting four hours of sleep. It’s just a lot. There’s so much going on.” The pressure to defend the title on American soil adds an extra layer of pressure, but with steps to get the best players on the team has been the priority for Donald.

Earlier, at the first event of the LIV schedule, which was the LIV Golf Riyadh, Adrian Meronk earned praise. After missing last season of the Ryder Cup, Meronk shared his disappointment, but for this season he came prepared for it.

He said, “It comes again to how I perform this year. It is definitely on my mind.” In fact, his performance at the Riyadh event earned him praise from the captain. Donald texted him, “Keep playing well.” The earlier statement of considering LIV golfers and now his praise is proof that he is actively looking out for players irrespective of the league.

However, with Rasmus Hojgaard not being assertive about his performance being acknowledged raises a worry for him. Will he be considered for the Ryder Cup? What are your thoughts on it? Share with us in the comments below.

The post Despite Near History at $9.2M PGA Tour Event, Nicolai & Rasmus Hojgaard Not Getting Their Ryder Cup Hopes Yet appeared first on EssentiallySports.