Hero Indian Open 2024: Heartbreak For Rasmus Hojgaard as Shocking WD Follows ‘Nightmare’ Start

After becoming the top-ranked face in the Hero Indian Open, Rasmus Hojgaard discreetly exited the DLF Golf Course. The twin brother of Nicolai Hojgaard entered the Indian Peninsula ranked 78th, the highest for the field, and was playing the event after his brother teed up last year.

Flying in, Hojgaard even asked his brother about the DLF Golf Course to better prepare for the event. And at first, it seemed that the 4-time DP World Tour winner was indeed ready for a huge showdown. But was he actually prepared to face the nightmare that DLF GC has shown him?

Rasmus Hojgaard withdraws without citing a reason

Landing in Delhi, India, Rasmus Hojgaard was having the time of his life at the Hero Indian Open. The youngest Dane to win on the European Tour was excited to debut at the DLF Golf Course and display his prowess. However, the course has proved to be a challenge for the Dane, and not just for him but for most o nthe field.

Round one started on Thursday, March 28th, and Hojgaard opened with five par putts till he reached the par-4 sixth hole. There, the 23-year-old made his first double bogey of the round, but disaster was to follow a hole later. After making a par on the next hole, Hojgaard reached the par-5 6th hole. Inarguably, one of the most difficult holes and a nightmare for pros playing at the DLF Golf Course.

The DP World Tour tweeted that on the 8th hole, 14 double bogeys or worse were scored. Among those, Hojgaard was also the pro who struggled at the par-5. He shot a quadruple bogey as his first swing met with a water hazard. After taking a two-stroke penalty, he hit another from the bunker and the rough, before finally making the putt four strokes over the par-5. Overall, Hojgaard finished 7 over 79 and before round two starts, withdrew from the Hero Indian Open.

The withdrawal comes as shocking but could be linked to his disappointing performance as he was the favorite at the Indian Open and was predicated by many to lead the field but he stood tied at 136. There might be several reasons that pushed Rasmus Hojgaard to opt out of the event but could it be related to not breaking his record?

Did Hojgaard withdraw to safeguard his streak? 

At the Hero Indian Open, the Dane was excited to experience the new course in Delhi. However, the way Hojgaard’s first round ended, it could have been predicted that he would miss the 36-hole cut that would be observed after the Friday rounds as he was well outside the top 65 and ties.

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So, though Hojgaard has not revealed the reason for his exit, it could also be due to an undisclosed health issue. But notably, the 23-year-old has not missed a single cut since the 2023 BMW PGA Championship in September and this has been his longest streak of cuts made (13 events) since he debuted in 2019.

Alternatively, Rasmus Hojgaard might have been disappointed with his underwhelming performance and didn’t want to continue, which would have broken his momentum. Regardless of the reasons, the Dane will not be seen at the DLF GC going further.

Read More: Did Rasmus Hojgaard, Twin Brother of DP World Tour Championship Winner Nicolai, Earn a PGA Tour Card for 2024?