
Hojgaard collapses on home soil to open door for Penge to clinch Danish Championship
Hojgaard looked set to breeze to his second victory in this event in three years when he opened up a four-shot lead by the sixth hole.
However Penge, who birdied the third and eighth, was in a share of the lead after the Dane dropped a shot at the seventh and double bogeyed at the ninth.
The Englishman moved ahead when Hojgaard bogeyed the 10th and extended his lead to two with a brilliant birdie at the 13th.
Penge left the door ajar with his only bogey of the day at the 16th, but instantly responded with a birdie at the penultimate hole to restore his two-shot advantage at 15 under.
Hojgaard piled on the pressure with a clutch eagle at the par-five last to draw level, but Penge kept his cool to drain his birdie putt and triumph at Fureso Golf Klub.
"I've been playing so well this year," Penge said. "You know, coming back from my time off, to have won so soon (after that) and to achieve what I've achieved since I won.
"My main goal after I won was to not get complacent and drop off basically. My team have been a massive support for me, my family, everyone involved really.
"It's made me keep striving for more and this is amazing. And Rasmus, he's some player, to hit the shot he hit into the last and make eagle and basically make me have to win it was unbelievable."
Ben Schmidt, who hails from Rotherham, parred the 72nd hole to earn solo third at 12 under following a final-round 68.
Penge had two more reasons to celebrate in Copenhagen after his success saw him top the Closing Swing rankings, earning 200,000 US dollars (£148,000) and entry to the final nine events of the DP World Tour campaign, in addition to claiming the 10,000 US dollars (£7,400) on offer for setting the course round of 64 during his first round.
PA

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Shane Lowry clings to Ryder Cup spot as Rasmus Hojgaard circles with ZERO points on offer at Tour Championship
The Irish ace is under huge pressure with Dane needing top-30 at The Belfry to steal automatic place as there's ZERO qualification points on off at the Tour Championship LOW NO Shane Lowry clings to Ryder Cup spot as Rasmus Hojgaard circles with ZERO points on offer at Tour Championship SHANE LOWRY snatched back his automatic sixth place in the European Ryde Cup standings last weekend - just. The Offaly star regained the final automatic qualifying spot on the ladder after after finishing T23 from the 48-man field at the BMW Championship. 2 Shane Lowry 's automatic Ryder Cup place is out of his control as there's no points for offer at the Tour Championship 2 Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark could leapfrog Lowry and Straka to snatch the final place with a good showing at the British Masters Matters helped the 2019 Open champ as pal Sepp Straka was forced to withdraw before the start of the BMW Championship due to personal reasons. The Austrian was sixth on the table heading into last week's penultimate event in the FedEX Cup Playoffs but earned zero points as the Irishman leapfrogged him. But on the European side, the race could be decided in the UK this week – and Lowry's place is hanging by a thread as Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard is aiming to pounce. This week's Betfred British Masters at The Belfry is the final chance for players to grab points towards Luke Donald's team. Unlike previous editions, there is now just one qualification list for Europe, adding extra drama to the final week. After last week's BMW Championship, Bob MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton joined Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose as confirmed qualifiers. That leaves just one automatic spot that's left up for grabs. Lowry, who sits sixth – along with Sepp Straka in seventh – CAN NOT add points at this week's Tour Championship in Atlanta. That opens the door for Rasmus Hojgaard, who is in the British Masters field is just a tiny 14 points behind Lowry. The maths is realtively straightforward - a tie for 29th or better at The Belfry will see Hojgaard leapfrog both Lowry and Straka to snatch the final automatic ticket to Bethpage Black in New York. Irish golf ace will 'stick to the day job' after being treated to 'best seat in the house for our landing into Toronto' The Dane, whose twin brother Nicolai played at Marco Simone in 2023, finished runner-up on home soil last week at the Danish Golf Championship. He also posted top-20 finishes at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and The Open earlier this year, and has fond memories of The Belfry after finishing third there in 2024. While Lowry could still be bumped, he'd be expected to earn a captain's pick from Luke Donald alongside Straka. The top six players in the rankings after the Betfred British Masters, hosted by Nick Faldo on Sunday, 24 August, will secure automatic qualification, with three spots already locked in. Captain Luke Donald will then confirm his six wildcard selections for the Ryder Cup during the week beginning Monday, 1 September. But the intrigue of a potential Hojgaard brothers pairing at Bethpage has added another layer of spice to Ryder Cup week after the pair's fine showing together at this year's Zurich Clssic team event - where they finished T2.


Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Rasmus Hojlund offered an unexpected option in the Premier League for Manchester United exit
The Brazilian forward has been expected to go to Atalanta in a £40m deal, although it is understood that a move to Serie A ran into difficulties by Sunday evening. Fulham have nevertheless explored alternatives, should the move be reignited, with Hojlund considered as an option to replace the Brazilian's firepower. The 24-year-old struck a 97th-minute equaliser for Marco Silva's side at the Amex to deny Brighton all three points and secure a draw to kick-start their Premier League campaign. The former Flamengo forward has scored 17 Premier League goals in his last two campaigns for Fulham, hitting double figures in all competitions, with a career-high of 11 goals last term. United want to sell the Dane after signing Benjamin Sesko in an €80m (£73.7m) deal. Hojlund's preference is to stay, but he is naturally prepared to consider prospective offers. United want £40m for the 22-year-old, although it is felt they would rather do a deal abroad. Hojlund was left out of the squad that lost 1-0 to Arsenal on Sunday at Old Trafford. The Dane was left on the bench for the final pre-season friendly against Fiorentina on 9 August, despite Sesko not registering in time to feature against the Italians. Hojlund cost £72m two years ago from Atalanta and has scored 14 goals in 62 league games since returning nine goals in 32 Series A matches.


Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Andrews finds flickers of positivity and pride as Forest blitz lays bare task ahead
Nottingham Forest 3 Brentford 1 As an early gauge of Keith Andrews' managerial potential, a game against Nottingham Forest should be about as good as it gets. Visitors are not cowed into submission by the thought of an assignment at the City Ground. But Nuno Espirito Santo's team, as their finishing position in the Premier League underlined last season, are still good enough to test the very best. They were certainly too good for a Brentford side which has lost some of its most influential performers this summer. However, the manner in which his players conceded the game will cause Andrews more concern than the result, with Chris Wood twice taking advantage of some woeful defending and Dan Ndoye, Forest's £36m signing from Bologna, heading home after easily escaping Rico Henry's clutches in between. 'It was tough, that's a fair assessment,' Andrews acknowledged after seeing Igor Thiago net Brentford's late consolation from the penalty spot. 'I stressed during the week that structure would be needed because of how Forest respectfully play the game. 'Also the 'basics' which is not the dirty word some people seem to think it is. Still, we showed pride after that which was positive and gives us something to build on.' Read More Flying Forest subject Andrews to tough Premier League baptism Beyond the confines of the Gtech Community Stadium, Andrews' appointment as Thomas Frank's successor came as something of a surprise. But the former Republic of Ireland international, who has remodelled himself as a coach following a period as a television analyst, commands the confidence of those who patrol its corridors of power. The best measure of their belief in Andrews' ability came on the eve of this fixture, when Dango Ouattara was signed from Bournemouth for a club record fee of £42m. Acquired too late to be available for selection in the east Midlands, Ouattara's purchase nevertheless underlines owner Matthew Benham's conviction that the Dubliner, despite his relative lack of experience, is the right man to replace the Dane. 'No, I didn't, because everything was geared towards the result,' Andrews replied, when asked if he had enjoyed his debut as a top-flight manager. 'I was asked during a staff question-and-answer session recently what my individual goals are and I stressed I didn't have any. It's all about the collective. 'It won't take time, it's not about imposing my philosophy. I'm not looking to rip things up.' With goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher also being parachuted into a squad captained by Leixlip's Nathan Collins, there is a strong Irish flavour to Brentford's work this term. Unfortunately, as Wood demonstrated by outmuscling three defenders to poke home Elliot Anderson's fifth-minute corner, there is a vulnerability too. Andrews shook his head in dismay when replays of the strike were broadcast inside the stadium. It was exactly the kind of mistake which causes coaching staff sleepless nights. It also eroded Brentford's faith in their ability to cause Forest a problem, with Nuno's men laying siege to Kelleher's area from that moment on. Yehor Yarmoliuk's low drive, which was well saved by Matz Sels. provided some much needed respite. But nowhere near enough. 'It's frustrating to be honest,' Collins admitted, absolving Andrews of any responsibility. 'I think we put ourselves in danger and didn't start the way we should have done. 'We were far too passive on the ball and that needs to be better. What we showed after half-time was much more positive, even though it's not easy to come out here at 3-0 down. Read More Workmanlike Arsenal dig in to cloud new Manchester United dawn 'But we won the second-half and that's a good step forward.' Landing Ouattara is designed to compensate for the loss of Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United. With Yoane Wissa also absent as speculation rages about his future, Andrews could do little about Brentford's lack of penetration. Nor the lapses in concentration which saw Ndoye open his account following Morgan Gibbs-White's delightful assist before Wood latched onto Anderson's pass to stretch Forest's lead. 'Dango is really versatile and I see him as Bryan's replacement,' Andrews said. 'We didn't know he was available and so when we discovered that he was I was pleased that the club could get that business done.' Shorn of some influential talents and losing Mikkel Damsgaard ahead of kick-off - 'His wife gave birth during the early hours so he was withdrawn,' Andrews revealed - there was inevitably a naivety about Brentford's work. The introduction of Jordan Henderson, previously of Liverpool and Ajax, injected some much-needed authority. Andrews could be tempted to hand him a much more prominent role moving forward, with his entrance coinciding with the visitors' best spell of the game. Thiago converted after Ibrahim Sangare handled in the box but the Brazilian's otherwise forgettable contribution means Quattara is also likely to be immediately drafted in when Brentford host Aston Villa on Saturday. 'We controlled the game and that is what you want as a coach,' Nuno said. 'That's always the aspiration.' Nottingham Forest: M Sels, O Aina, N Milenkovic, Murillo, N Williams, I Sangare, E Anderson, D Ndoye (J Silva 78), M Gibbs-White (J Yates 84), C Hudson-Odoi, C Wood (I Jesus 78). Not used: A Gunn, Morato, T Awoniyi, Jair, W Boly, Z Abbott. Brentford: C Kelleher, M Kayode, N Collins, S van den Berg, R Henry (A Hickey 88), Y Yarmoliuk, M Jensen (J Henderson 68), K Lewis-Potter (F Onyeka 68), A Milambo (K Schade 46), F Carvalho, I Thiago. Not used: Valdimarsson, K Ajer, M Peart-Harris, M Roerslev, B Arthur. Referee: Peter Bankes