Rasmus Hojgaard Follows Twin Nicolai's Footsteps at Ryder Cup

Rasmus Hojgaard's Ryder Cup journey

Rasmus Hojgaard makes his Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage Black, following in the footsteps of twin brother Nicolai, who won with Europe in 2020.

“I wasn't in all that because I wasn't a player. I was driving buggies that week...”

Rasmus Hojgaard is set to make his Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage Black, following in the footsteps of his twin brother Nicolai, who was part of the victorious European team two years ago. The 24-year-old Danish golfer has an advantage over other rookies, having gained insight into the Ryder Cup's inner workings by cheering on his brother in 2023. Hojgaard qualified for the European team after a strong performance at the Irish Open last year, where he beat Rory McIlroy.

As the only rookie on the European team, Hojgaard has been getting used to the familiar faces and names in Farmingdale, New York. His teammates have even been seeing double, with Shane Lowry occasionally calling him “Nicolai” before correcting himself. Hojgaard takes it in stride, having been mistaken for his brother for 20 years. “Shane (Lowry) sometimes just calls me 'Nicolai'. And then he's like, 'Oh, Rasmus is here',” he said. “It's all right. It is what it is. I'm used to it. I've been used to it for 20 years now. So it doesn't really bother me.”

The Hojgaard twins have a history of pranking their teachers by switching classes, with their teacher not noticing the switch for an hour and a half. Rasmus has been dreaming of making the Ryder Cup since 2012, when Europe won the tournament in the “Miracle at Medinah.” He gained valuable experience by driving buggies for the European team during the 2023 Ryder Cup, where his brother Nicolai played.

The Hojgaard twins, Rasmus and Nicolai, share an uncanny resemblance that has led to some amusing moments, including pranking their teachers in school. As kids, they'd often switch classes without being detected. Rasmus recalled, “The teacher wouldn't notice for an hour and a half,” during a chat with reporters. This ability to fool others is likely due to their identical features, which have become a hallmark of the twins' relationship.

Two more players graduate from being Junior Ryder Cuppers to full Ryder Cup stars this week:
- Cameron Young played in the 2014 team at Gleneagles
- Rasmus Hojgaard played 2018 in Paris

They join Nicolai Hojgaard, Sam Burns, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tony… pic.twitter.com/6D5Ci7ShYR

— blue on the board (@blueontheboard) September 24, 2025

This remarkable likeness has followed them into adulthood, with Rasmus making his Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage Black, while Nicolai was part of the victorious European team two years ago. Their bond and similar appearance have undoubtedly contributed to the twins' unique experiences, both on and off the golf course.

Rasmus Hojgaard, 24, earned his Ryder Cup spot after a remarkable win over Rory McIlroy at the Irish Open last year. His journey to the prestigious tournament began long ago, inspired by Europe's historic “Miracle at Medinah” victory in 2012. This experience sparked his dream of participating in the Ryder Cup.

Hojgaard has a unique advantage as a rookie, having gained insight into the Ryder Cup atmosphere by cheering on his twin brother Nicolai during the 2023 tournament. This firsthand experience has prepared him for the intensity and camaraderie of the event, giving him a glimpse behind the scenes. With this knowledge, he's ready to make his mark on the competition.

“Just to see how everything runs, how the days are built, how the team room functions. As a whole, it was nice to see how all the days just go by, how they all prepare,” said Hojgaard, shooting down rumors that he had sat in on team meetings in Rome.

“I wasn't in all that because I wasn't a player. I was driving buggies that week.”