It’s very special - Rasmus Højgaard proud to be living out his dream in Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage

Inspired by one of the competition’s greatest ever triumphs, Rasmus Højgaard is this week feeling immense pride at living out his dream of playing in a Ryder Cup.

The Dane is the lone rookie in Team Europe, replacing his twin brother Nicolai in an otherwise identical side from the one that regained the trophy from the United States at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club two years ago.

His talent has long since been known on his home continent – having won his first professional title at 18 in Mauritius on the DP World Tour – but he is also far from a new name for American audiences, having completed the full sweep of Major Championship appearances at the Masters Tournament earlier this year.

Now, still only 24, he is thrust into one of the world’s greatest sporting events, with the opportunity to help contribute towards a rare away win for Europe.

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Only on four occasions have Europe beat the United States on their home soil, most recently in 2012 at Medinah – a feat which Højgaard recalls vividly as a child.

“That was the first Ryder Cup I really watched on the TV,” he said. “That was when my Ryder Cup dream started.

“I'm here now, so I'm very happy that I can live out my Ryder Cup dream. It’s very special.”

Quick and 'easy' welcome on debut

Having experienced the dynamics of a Ryder Cup in a backroom capacity last time out in Italy, primarily assisting vice captain Thomas Bjørn, Højgaard became the last player to secure an automatic qualifying spot in Luke Donald’s team last month.

A five-time winner on the DP World Tour, his talent and temperament are in no doubt, but a Ryder Cup stage is unlike any other in the game.

So, how has he found walking into what is Europe’sleast changed team in Ryder Cup history?

“It's been pretty easy to get into the team,” he said. “I've been called "Nicolai" pretty much half the time by everyone, but I think the Rome experience made it easier for me to get to know the guys a little bit better.

"It's been good. Good fun so far."

FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Rasmus Hojgaard of Team Europe signs autographs prior to the Ryder Cup 2025 at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

A sense of calm

An integral figure in the development of both the Højgaards has been 2018 Ryder Cup-winning Captain Bjørn, with the Dane an onlooker as Rasmus faced the media for his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday.

Admitting it is “very special” to be able to call upon the know-how of Denmark’s greatest golfer this week, Rasmus is also embracing the opportunity to lean on insights from some of his team-mates.

“There's some very experienced guys in the team,” he added, with Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose boasting 13 prior appearances in the Ryder Cup between them.

“So, I think just being around them gives you a sense of calmness.”

But, while he feels comfortable in his surroundings for now, nerves will come.

Though, that is not something that is causing him concern, having shown he can handle the pressure when his performances were under intense scrutiny in the final days of Europe’s qualifying campaign at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.

“I think I'm going to feel some sense of what I did at The Belfry there, trying to qualify there,” he said.

“I'm pretty sure the first tee is going to be my most nervous moment.

“But again, I try to look at it in a way that I only get to try the first Ryder Cup tee shot once in my life, so trying to embrace that in a way.

“It's also a cliché, but that's going to be my approach, and then see how it goes.”

Åberg 'excited' at what Højgaard brings

FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: (top L-R) Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, (bottom L-R) Ludvig Aberg, Rasmus Hojgaard, Captain Luke Donald, Robert MacIntyre and Sepp Straka of Team Europe pose for a team photo prior to the Ryder Cup 2025 at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

One player who has recent experience of what still awaits Højgaard this week is his fellow Scandinavian Ludvig Åberg.

The Swede was a rookie in Italy, having made history as the first player to play at a Ryder Cup before making an appearance in a Major Championship.

After a sensational start to his professional career, winning his maiden title in the paid ranks the day before Donald named his Captain’s Picks in 2023, Åberg contributed two points from four matches as Europe sealed a 16½ - 11½ win.

And he is in no doubt of what fellow dual PGA TOUR and DP World Tour member Rasmus can bring to the fold this time.

“I think the team is very strong,” said Åberg. “We have some really good players, good personalities, lots of experience.

“Obviously a more experienced team now than we were two years ago, especially with the rookies that we had last time that are no longer rookies; and Rasmus, who didn't play last time but he was in the team room, and he got to experience the whole setting of being a part of the team. I'm really excited about him and what he can do this week.”

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The biggest highlight for Åberg was teaming up with Viktor Hovland to beat Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka 9&7 in the foursomes – a record-breaking win.

“I think the biggest thing that I take away from those couple of days, and maybe especially that morning, was just the validation for myself, that I'm able to do that,” he said.

“Because obviously before I played in Rome, I hadn't even met those guys. I had never shaken their hands. I had never had a conversation with them.

“For me to get there and to bring out a result like that was a big deal for me personally, to know that I'm able to beat those guys at times. I'm able to compete and play good golf against them. That's the biggest thing that I take away.”

Whether Rasmus is able to deliver his own piece of Ryder Cup history remains to be seen, but he comes into his debut with great belief – both internal and from those around him.