AMGEN IRISH OPEN

September 15, 2024

Rasmus Højgaard

Royal County Down GC

Quick Quotes

Q. First of all, congratulations on being the 2024 Amgen Irish Open Champion. How can you summarise the emotions for us right now?

RASMUS HØJGAARD: I don't know, to be fair. Yeah, it was a hard watch in the end but again, I had a number today that I was trying to reach, and that was 8. Obviously coming in and finishing on 9 was gold.

But yeah, I'm so happy. It's been -- the game's been trending for a while now, and you know, to get this one is massive.

Q. You had some magical moments, the pitch in on 10 and the bunker shot on 17. How pivotal were those moments for you?

RASMUS HØJGAARD: Obviously there on 10, got away with a good lie. Thought I hit a great chip there. Maybe would have been five, six feet past. But then there was a flag in the way.

And 17, I thought, you know, I was a bit worried I could be plugged in the bunker or whatever but coming up to an uphill lie in the bunker gave me a little bit more confidence that I could get it up-and-down.

And then to hole it was obviously -- that was key.

Q. I think you confirmed that watching golf is more difficult than playing it yourself, especially in the last few moments. But you've got plenty of goals up for grabs. You've got the Ryder Cup, and wanting to Johannesburg your twin brother on the PGA TOUR. How momentous is this victory?

RASMUS HØJGAARD: Couldn't come at a better time. You know, some great events at this part of the season.

So yeah, I'm a step closer to my goal now, and yeah, I can't wait for what the rest of the year has in store.

Q. Also beating Rory McIlroy at Royal County Down is such a huge thing within itself, how much confidence does it give you for the rest of the season?

RASMUS HØJGAARD: Yeah, it's a big confidence boost. I knew it was going to be hard to battle with him and the rest of the guys out there. Obviously seeing he made a bogey there on 17 obviously changed everything.

But again, it was tight all the way down to the last putt. So yeah, it's a great boost for me for the rest of the year.