By Mathieu Wood
Rasmus Højgaard is hoping his analytical focus on his performance will help him realise long-held objectives this season, including breaking into the world's top 50 for the first time.
The four-time DP World Tour winner has worked with Edoardo Molinari - a three-time winner on Tour and 2023 Ryder Cup-winning Vice Captain - for insights as part of a detail-orientated approach to his preparation since July 2020.
Like many other professional golfers who also work with Molinari, the Dane is hopeful that his interest in those insights will continue to help him improve as he works to achieve his goals for this season.
Højgaard is currently riding high in the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex after an excellent start to the campaign that has seen him finish no worse than a tie for 11th in five appearances. This week sees World Number 76 aim to maintain that record in his debut at the Porsche Singapore Classic, after being ruled out of the inaugural edition at Laguna National Golf Resort Club through injury last season.
Since the start of the year, Højgaard’s consistent performances on the DP World Tour have seen the 23-year-old near a return to his career-high of 63rd, achieved after he won the ISPS HANDA UK Championship in August 2020.
Asked to reflect on what is going well in his game so far this season, Højgaard said: "I think if you look at the statistics, my putting has been very, very good.
"I've tried to keep that where it is or tried to improve as much as I can. I would like my long game to be a little bit more consistent.
"It seems like that's the part of the game right now that can be a little bit off. So trying to keep the putting you know at a high level and then improve the small bits in the long game to make it more consistent."
"I do pay quite a lot of attention to [the stats]. We can look at everything we want to and then from there see what do we need to improve and create the right type of practice so that it fits the things I need to improve. I guess that is the big benefit from having stats."
Højgaard is right to pinpoint his putting for praise, with only Malaysia's Gavin Green ranked ahead of him in the SG: Putting category on the DP World Tour so far this season.
The Dane narrowly missed out on earning dual membership on the PGA TOUR at the end of last season, and that incentive will be a driving force again this year, along with climbing the Official World Golf Ranking [OWGR] to ensure qualification for all four Major Championships - a long-held ambition.
Strong performances this week and next week at the Hero Indian Open could well see Rasmus join twin brother Nicolai in making his debut at Augusta National, with the top 50 on the OWGR the week prior to the Masters securing their spot in the field.
Since finishing in a tie for sixth on his last start on the DP World Tour at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, Højgaard has played twice on the PGA TOUR with his most recent outing at the Puerto Rico Open earlier this month.
"I feel good, It was nice to have a week at home [after Puerto Rico], but the game has been good," he reflected.
"Had a good start to the year and I'm really looking forward to play out here."
