HERO CUP

January 11, 2023

Nicolai Højgaard

Abu Dhabi Golf Club

Continental Europe

Quick Quotes

Q. Bittersweet, your brother was chosen and injury forced him out and you're here. How are you making up for lost time?

NICOLAI HØJGAARD: Yes, there's obviously some unique circumstances of getting the last call, last minute, but I'm excited to be here and really looking forward to it. I'll do my best.

Obviously Rasmus was an asset for the team and he's been playing well for a long time. But I know if he can play well I can do it as well. Definitely looking forward to it and feeling ready for the gun to go off.

Q. What's the approach for the week? Is it all guns blazing and reserved? It's an opportunity to catch the eye of Luke, that's I guess the main reason that we are here but it's a long hard season ahead. So how do you gauge the next few days?

NICOLAI HØJGAARD: We are definitely here to get ready for the season. But this week is very important for September and we try to make a fast start. Team Europe has the focus of getting out of the blocks as fast as possible. We have some stats for the team about fast starts and how important that is. We are obviously preparing for Friday and we are all excited to get going.

Q. How important was it when Paul spoke last night and José Maria and Thomas, speaking to legends, how special has that been?

NICOLAI HØJGAARD: It was pretty cool. I was really looking forward to it. I thought it was special, but by them telling stories, motivation, it's so special and so cool you and really want to be a part of it. You want to get that trophy back to Europe and it was one of the coolest nights I've had in a long time, just sitting there listening to their stories and seeing motivation videos, it's pretty cool.

Q. Goosebumps?

NICOLAI HØJGAARD: 100 percent. You're sitting there and you just want to be there. You just want to be rolling the putts in when it matters.

So inspiring and so motivating to watch and hear from them. I'll do my best to play well this week and hopefully be on the team in September.

Q. Can you give us an insight, has The Ryder Cup been us asked amongst you boys or is it very much the here and now? There's an awful lot of golf to be played between now and September or is the chatter already starting to happen?

NICOLAI HØJGAARD: Yeah, I think. So everyone knows this is a Ryder Cup year. All the young guys, I think we all want to be a part of the team and I feel like we are all battling for a spot.

But I mean, in the end it comes down to your own performance and do you become better every day. The day-to-day work is going to be the thing that makes a difference. We all want to be there. Everyone I think is very much motivated to be in the team.

But it's not something we speak about, Oh, do you want to be on the team, because everyone wants it. But I think everyone is aware this is a Ryder Cup year. So it's a big one for everyone.

Q. If you look into that crystal ball of yours, you and Rasmus, yes, it's to win majors, the Masters, the green jacket, the Claret Jug and the open but for you and your brother to be in a Ryder Cup paired together, it's the stuff dreams of made of?

NICOLAI HØJGAARD: I could sit here and say it would be the biggest dream if it happens, and when it happens, I think that will be the coolest thing ever. I don't think individual tournaments or titles can match that.

Our biggest goal together is to be out number one in the morning, in the morning foursomes together. That's our gain goal for Ryder Cups, and I would sacrifice everything to be there, and he would do the same.

So if that happens one day, that would be the coolest thing. And we both, we would always say that we played together. We know each other; every time we play match play, we play together. I think that's very important. And last night we hear from Tommy and Francesco talked about their relationship in Paris, and they know each other so well. You hear about José Maria and Seve; he told stories about them. I think when you are that close, you can pull out some magic when you're playing. We would love to do that.