Rasmus Højgaard won a play-off at the third extra hole to claim the AfrAsia Bank Open and become the third youngest winner on the European Tour. Picture by GETTY IMAGES
RASMUS Højgaard became the third-youngest winner in European Tour history with a dramatic play-off triumph at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
The 18-year-old Dane birdied the 72nd hole to get to 19-under alongside Italian Renato Paratore and Frenchman Antoine Rozner as the event went to a play-off for the third time in as many stagings at Heritage Golf Club.
Højgaard missed a 12-foot eagle putt for the title on the first trip back up the par five 18th hole but – after halving the hole in birdies with Rozner at the second attempt – made a three from similar range at the third time of asking to take the title.
Rasmus Højgaard, who was showered with Champagne on the 18th green, said: “I’m lost for words. It’s amazing and I’m over the moon. This is a dream come true for me.
“I just kept telling myself to believe in yourself and trust the number. I did what I could and it was enough for me to win.
“I was obviously nervous, playing in my first play-off, but I was in a situation where I had nothing to lose.
“So, I was confident especially with my shots coming in. It was pretty cool to close out the 18th hole.
“My approach shots were all very good there and I just managed to do what I had to do.
“It’s cool to win so early in my career and it’s something just very amazing and I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”
At 18 years and 271 days old, only Italian Matteo Manassero – who won twice as a 17-year-old – and New Zealander Danny Lee have won on the European Tour at a younger age.
Højgaard came to prominence in 2018 when Denmark won the Eisenhower Trophy at the World Amateur Team Championship, playing alongside identical twin Nicolai and John Axelsen.
The Rasmus brothers were also in the European team at the 2018 Junior Ryder Cup.
Nicolai finished second to Sergio Garcia at last season’s KLM Open but after becoming the first player born in the 21st century to graduate from the Qualifying School, Rasmus is now a European Tour winner in just his fifth event.
That makes him the fastest Dane to a European Tour win, beating 15-time winner Thomas Bjorn – the winning 2018 Ryder Cup captain, whose maiden victory came after 24 events.
Renato Paratore – whose sole win came in the 2017 Nordea Masters having won his card at European Tour Qualifying School as a 17-year-old – said: “I pulled my second shot too much to the left.
“It was not the best shot I made and it landed off the green and I knew I had no chance,” added 22-year-old Paratore.
“I could have aimed more to the right. I played really solid all week and even though I didn’t win in the play-off, overall it has been a good week.”
Belgium’s Thomas Detry, Scotland’s Grant Forrest, Benjamin Hebert, from France and South African Louis de Jager finished one shot behind the leading trio on 18-under.
Another Frenchman – Robin Sciot-Siegrest – who graduated via the top 15 on the Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorca rankings was one shot further back in solo eighth position.
Julien Guerrier was the fourth Frenchmen inside the top 10 at 16-under, alongside South African Oliver Bekker, American Sihwan Kim, and Scotland’s Connor Syme.
Antoine Rozner, who had back-to-back wins on the Challenge Tour in May, and was looking good for his own breakthrough victory on the back nine, said: “Everything comes down to one play-off hole.”
“I made some amazing birdies on the first two play-off holes. I have nothing to regret. I gave my best.
“Congratulations to Rasmus. He hit some amazing shots down the stretch.”
•For final scores from the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, click here.
