PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

May 18, 2022

Nicolai Hojgaard

Southern Hills Country Club

Flash Quotes

JOHN DEVER: Good afternoon. Welcome back to the 2022 PGA Championship. We are very pleased to be joined by Nicolai Hojgaard. Nicolai, welcome to the PGA Championship, the first of your career. Congratulations on being here.

We had your brother here last year. Curious what experience he had and any knowledge he shared with you? I know they're two different golf courses, but just about what it's like to play in a major championship?

NICOLAI HOJGAARD: Honestly it's huge compared to what we're used to back in Europe, so it's great to be here. Obviously had some conversations with Rasmus coming into this week, and honestly, he would love to be here, but he'll definitely be back again.

Yeah, we talked a little bit about what we would expect for this week and the different scenarios you have here compared to what we have in Europe. He gave me some good tips before coming here.

Q. What are your first impressions of the golf course here at Southern Hills? First time you've seen it, I'm sure. As you walked down and maybe made the turn, what were your impressions of what you're taking in around you?

NICOLAI HOJGAARD: It's really a good course. It's in great shape. It's a tough one. I feel like it's a second-shot golf course. It's quite go-to off the tee, but certainly you need to come from the fairway to actually attack this golf course.

With some of these greens and pin positions it's really tricky, and short game area, as well.

It's a really good course. I enjoy it, and it will be a great test.

Q. What kind of advice did you receive from your brother Rasmus last year? Understanding these are two different golf courses, but the experience he had in a major championship and now you're experiencing the same thing 12 months later.

NICOLAI HOJGAARD: Yeah, as I said, Rasmus played here last year and he gave me some insight on what to expect getting to play a major championship here in the States. It's a little different over here compared to Europe, and the climate, as well, it's so hot over here.

He gave some good things that I could use during this week, and yeah, hopefully he'll be back out here.

Q. There's a few people that got maybe the advantage of having two brothers competing and playing together and having a healthy rivalry, like maybe the Molinari brothers. In your case, how does it work? Has it been a motivation in your career?

NICOLAI HOJGAARD: Oh, yeah, for sure. We push each other every day, and every time we're in a tournament together, as well, we use each other, practice rounds and stuff.

Without each other we probably wouldn't be here. That's what we always say. I think that's true. He's useful, and hopefully he says the same thing about me when he's talking.

Yeah, I definitely enjoy having a brother out here.

Q. When you say we have each other, I can imagine there were moments when either of you thought that this is enough, I don't want to do it again. Can you talk about those moments and what happened and how you went through that?

NICOLAI HOJGAARD: I mean, over the years we're getting more mature and now we can talk to each other when the other one beats. Back in the days we were fighting. We could get up in the fight. We could start fighting after -- if I shoot a good round and Rasmus played bad or the other way around.

We've had conversations in the past and also now on how we tackle ups and downs. Someday we won't play the same Tour maybe and how are we going to tackle that. We've had the conversations.

That's how golf, that's how life is. As long as we have each other, it's a bonus. We enjoy it so far.

Q. Do you think it could get to a point where -- there's many options. There's one where the two of you do fantastic and there's one where maybe one of you, I suppose the other caddies for him or -- is that something that is in mind?

NICOLAI HOJGAARD: I mean, you never know what happens in the future. We'll keep supporting each other. Hopefully we play the same place and win tournaments and battle it out on a Sunday.

We'll never know, but we'll keep supporting each other no matter what, and that's the most important part in all this.

Q. How comfortable are you playing in the United States, and how much experience do you have playing here?

NICOLAI HOJGAARD: I've played a few events over here now, and I really enjoy it. The course setup is a little bit tougher and stronger, and I enjoy those tests. I feel comfortable out there.

Obviously it's a little different. There's a bigger crowds, there's a bigger stage, and the course is demanding a little bit more. But I like being here, and I enjoy a good test.

Q. Do you remember what you did 12 months ago when your brother was playing? Were you watching every day, or is he watching you? Will you guys talk to each other after the round? How did that go last year, and how might it go this week?

NICOLAI HOJGAARD: Yeah, I was watching every round last year. I was watching him, as well, and how he plays and how he attacks his ups and downs playing a course like this or last year.

Yeah, we talk once in a while and have a little chat mostly about life or whatever it is, but also how a week like this feels.

Yeah, it's only positives having a brother who plays golf, as well.

Q. Similar question to one that was just asked. When you came to Florida, what did you take from that? What did you learn from those few weeks earlier this year?

NICOLAI HOJGAARD: I definitely learned a lot. One of the biggest things I've learned in those two weeks in Honda and Arnold Palmer was definitely discipline, the discipline of playing golf on a tough course and in a different setup. It's about keeping it in play, trying to hit the greens, build up a round, build up a tournament instead of thinking you have to go out and shoot a good score. That would be the biggest learning I got from those two weeks.

It's definitely one of the things you have to focus on this week, as well, discipline, and on these pin positions, on these greens and short game areas. That's what I'd advise and also what I learned from those two weeks.

Q. What would you say so far have you noticed are differences between American golf and European golf fans?

NICOLAI HOJGAARD: I think the majority of players here are just better than Europe. Wedges, putting, I see a difference. I enjoy watching how good these guys are with their wedges and putter. That's why you can get it around with your "C" game instead of just relying on really good ball-striking.

That's also one of the things I've learned during those two weeks and then something I keep working on because it's a huge asset when you've got a good short game.

That's why I can see these players just a little bit better in general.

Q. What about the galleries and the fans that are surrounding you? Is there a difference between an American championship or one taking place in Europe?

NICOLAI HOJGAARD: It's a bigger stage. I feel like this is -- sometimes when I was younger we talked about American and Europe, and I feel like it's actually way bigger when you get over here. I love being in Europe and playing in Europe, but I also enjoy coming to a place that feels bigger, bigger crowds and a bit louder.

It brings a smile to my face sometimes hearing what crowds say and yell, and I think it's cool having big crowds and it's a bit loud. But I enjoy it when you're out playing, yeah.

Q. A lot of people when they talk about the European Ryder Cup team, there are a lot of legendary players who are now sort of aging out of that, and they mentioned your name and your brother's name as some of the young players who might step in. What does the Ryder Cup mean to you, and is that something that you would look forward to as your career develops?

NICOLAI HOJGAARD: Yeah, it's a good thing when your name gets put on the table maybe or talked a little bit about when it's Ryder Cup. But obviously me and Rasmus got loads of things we have to prove before we even qualify or get to a team.

It's a positive in the future and we would love to play Ryder Cup. It's one of our biggest goals and what we've always dreamed of. We've been watching Ryder Cup ever since we started playing golf. We've got loads to things to improve before we even start putting our focus on the Ryder Cup, but it's definitely a goal, and I think it's achievable in the future.