Rasmus Hojgaard Moves into Top 10 in Race to Dubai Rankings, Earns Shot at PGA TOUR Card
Rasmus Hojgaard, the talented Danish golfer, has made a significant leap in the Race to Dubai Rankings – PGA TOUR Eligibility ranking, placing him in contention to secure a coveted 2024 PGA TOUR card.
The DP World Tour season is set to conclude next week at the highly anticipated DP World Tour Championship. At the end of the week, the top 10 players in the Race to Dubai who are not yet exempt on the PGA TOUR will earn PGA TOUR cards for the following season.
Hojgaard’s rise in the standings can be attributed in part to the support of his twin brother, Nicolai Hojgaard. However, Nicolai Hojgaard and Min Woo Lee have already secured their 2024 PGA TOUR cards through Special Temporary Membership. Consequently, both players have been removed from the top 10 of the Race to Dubai Rankings, freeing up two PGA TOUR cards. Rasmus Hojgaard now finds himself in line for the 10th and final card, holding a comfortable 37-point lead over Yannik Paul, who sits at No. 11.
At just 23 years old, Rasmus Hojgaard has already amassed an impressive record on the DP World Tour, with four career wins, including the Made In Himmerland earlier this year. He has also achieved five top-10 finishes this season. In his 16 career TOUR starts, he has secured two top-10 finishes and made eight cuts. Currently ranked 86th in the Official World Golf Ranking, Hojgaard’s potential inclusion in the PGA TOUR would mark a significant milestone in his promising career.
If Rasmus Hojgaard successfully earns a PGA TOUR card, he and his twin brother Nicolai Hojgaard will join Parker and Pierceson Coody as biological twins with active status on the TOUR. The Coody twins are set to make their rookie debut on the TOUR next season, adding an intriguing dynamic to the golfing landscape.
Top Contenders in the Race to Dubai Rankings
The top three positions in the eligibility ranking remain unchanged, with Adrian Meronk maintaining his No. 1 spot. If Meronk holds onto this position, he will be fully exempt in 2024 and earn a coveted spot in THE PLAYERS Championship. Meronk has consistently held the top spot throughout the year, despite a brief challenge from Ryan Fox, who briefly overtook him following an impressive fall. However, Meronk reclaimed his position after securing his third win of the season at the Andalucía Masters in October. Victor Perez currently holds the third spot in the rankings.
Thorbjørn Olesen has made a significant jump from No. 9 to No. 4 following a solo-third finish in South Africa, marking his third top-3 finish this season. Olesen’s notable achievements include winning the Thailand Classic in February. Alexander Björk has also improved his position, moving from No. 7 to No. 5 with a solid T10 finish.
Sami Välimäki, the 2020 DP World Tour Rookie of the Year, and Robert MacIntyre, a European Ryder Cup member, have dropped one spot but remain in the top 10, currently sitting at sixth and seventh place, respectively. Jorge Campillo, a former first-team All-American at Indiana in 2008 and 2009, holds the eighth position. Campillo secured a victory at the Magical Kenya Open Presented by Absa in March, further solidifying his credentials.
Ryo Hitsasune and Rasmus Hojgaard complete the top 10 finish. Hitsasune managed to maintain his No. 9 position despite finishing T9 in South Africa, showcasing his consistency and determination.
DP World Tour Championship and the Battle for PGA TOUR Cards
The DP World Tour Championship, similar to the FedExCup Playoffs, carries significant weight as the season-ending event. With a staggering 12,000 Race to Dubai points up for grabs, this tournament offers more points than any other event of the season. To put it into perspective, major championships offer 10,000 points, while Rolex Series events provide 8,000 points. Regular season DP World Tour events range from 2,000 to 7,000 points.
Recent weeks have witnessed notable jumps in the rankings, with Rasmus Hojgaard and Olesen both climbing five spots. Jorge Campillo’s runner-up finish at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters propelled him from No. 17 to No. 8, while Ryan Fox’s victory at the BMW PGA Championship in September, a Rolex Series event, propelled him from No. 30 to third.
With every player in the top 50 of the Race to Dubai participating in the DP World Tour Championship, there is still much to be determined for both the DP World Tour and the PGA TOUR. However, one certainty remains: ten PGA TOUR cards will be awarded next week, providing an exciting climax to the season.