Ryder Cup 2025: Rookie Rasmus Hojgaard can't escape the inevitable
European Ryder Cup rookie Rasmus Hojgaard was in good spirits ahead of the biennial contest with the United States at Bethpage Black.
Europe's sole Ryder Cup rookie Rasmus Hojgaard revealed he's been mistaken for his twin brother "pretty much half the time by everyone".
All eyes of the sporting world will turn to Bethpage Black in New York on Friday morning as the biennial dust-up gets underway.
This will be the 24-year-old Dane's first experience as a player and Luke Donald's dozen face what has been described as an almost impossible task.
Only four European teams have ever won in the United States but Rasmus appeared to be quietly confident about this week's matches.
He told reporters on Wednesday his earliest Ryder Cup memory was watching Europe mount an improbable comeback at Medinah in 2012.
That was when his Ryder Cup dream started. "It's been pretty easy to get into the team," said Rasmus with a smile.
"I've been called 'Nicolai' pretty much half the time by everyone, but I think the Rome experience made it easier for me to get to know the guys a little bit better. It's been good. Good fun so far."
According to Rasmus, Shane Lowry is among the worst offenders.
"And he's like, 'Oh, Rasmus is here'.
"It's all right. It is what it is. I'm used to it. I've been used to it for 20 years now. So it doesn't really bother me."
Rasmus will be able to draw on his experience watching his brother up close at Marco Simone two years ago.
He drove a buggy that week and was involved in several meetings, though he wasn't in the team room.
Should Europe emerge triumphant on Sunday evening then surely Luke Donald will go down as one of, if not, their best ever captain.
Rasmus said it was difficult to answer how Donald has altered his approach for this year's matches.
He has sanctioned the use of virtual reality headsets to help prepare the European team for what is expected to be a volatile atmosphere.
So far, their have been very few documented unpleasant exchanges between fans and players.
Rory McIlroy thinned a chip yesterday and was serenaded with chants of "USA".
Rasmus said all he can do is embrace the challenge.
"I'm pretty sure the first tee is going to be my most nervous moment," he said.
"But again, I try to look at it in a way that I only get to try the first Ryder Cup tee shot once in my life, so trying to embrace that in a way.
"It's also a cliche, but that's going to be my approach, and then see how it goes."
Rasmus has been playing his practice rounds with Viktor Hovland, Robert MacIntyre and Sepp Straka.
The pairings for Friday's opening Ryder Cup matches will be announced at 21:00 BST today.
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