The Højgaard twins, the two-headed eagle

Both present this week at the Golf National for the second time after the 2022 edition, Nicolaï and Rasmus Højgaard, respectively 53rd and 62nd in the world, are approaching this 106th French Open in history as favorites. Decryption.

L.V., au Golf National

Second in 2022, fourth last year, Rasmus Højgaard23, is undoubtedly one of the big favorites to win the FedEx Open de France who sets off this Thursday on a very very flexible Albatros course, saturated with water since the start of the week…

Two years ago, he should have added his name to the list of winners of the oldest tournament in continental Europe (born in 1906) but a blow came from nowhere on the Italian’s 18 Guido Migliozzi had decided otherwise.

Only one card over par in eight rounds played on the Albatross

In the first round, however, he had equaled the course record, an anthology 62 (-9) before making a mistake in the 3rd round, posting a difficult 74 (+3) including a quintuple bogey conceded on the par 3 of 2 (two balls in the water on his throws). This 74, which clearly cost him the victory, is to date his only round above par in two editions.

His status as the man to beat is far from being usurped since he currently occupies 4th place in the Race. A position which already ensures its right to play on the PGA Tour in 2025 via the ten spots put into play since last year on the DP World Tour. Victorious on September 15 atIrish Openblowing the trophy in the last holes to the local idol, a certain Rory McIlroyhe also has five top 10 finishes including a 2nd place at Ras Al Khaimah at the start of the year and a no less very solid 3rd place at British Masters September 1st.

62 (-9) at the Olympic Games!

Next January he will be reunited with his brother, Nicolaipresent on the US Circuit for two seasons now and who has just finished 82nd in the FedEx Cup. A contrasting season for the Danish hero of the last Ryder Cup in Rome who recorded only one top 10, taking 2nd place in the Farmers Insurance Open in January, behind Matthew Pavon.

Unlike his brother, he does not display crazy statistics on the Albatross of Golf National. 66th in 2019, he did little better in 2022 for his second participation, finishing 60th. And yet, he can also play very low on this course which hosted the Paris 2024 Olympic golf tournament at the beginning of August. He thus slammed a masterful 62 without bogey during the 3rd round, a feat which allowed him to join his brother in the record books, also equaling the Argentinian Eduardo Romero (in 2005), Martin Kaymer (in 2009) and Guido Migliozzi (in 2022).

Winner of DP World Tour Championship 2023his outings on the European Tour necessarily became rarer in 2024. He however managed to grab a nice 7th place on the first Rolex Series of the season (7th to Dubaï Desert Classic). But since his 14th place in Danish Golf Championship at the end of August, he remains on three consecutive failures.

Photo :  ROSS KINNAIRD / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP