After a hugely successful debut on the Race to Dubai 12 months ago, Made in Denmark returns to Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort this week for the tournament’s much-anticipated second edition.
More than 80,000 spectators lined the fairways of the Farsø venue last year, when The European Tour returned to Denmark for the first time since 2003.
The event was a celebration of the achievements of Danish golf in the intervening 11 years and will reprise that role this week, with Thomas Bjørn, Thorbjørn Olesen and Søren Kjeldsen, in particular, enjoying success on the world stage over the past 12 months.
Both Olesen and Kjeldsen, who finished tied seventh and tied 15threspectively last year, have tasted victory on The European Tour – Olesen at the ISPS Handa Perth International at the end of the 2014 season, while Kjeldsen came through a play-off with Bernd Wiesberger and Eddie Pepperell to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation at the end of May.
Furthermore, Kjeldsen last week became the first Dane to pass the 500 appearance mark on The European Tour, reaching the milestone in 18 years and 189 days – the second quickest player to join the exclusive club after Englishman Peter Baker, who needed 160 fewer days.
Meanwhile, Bjørn, Denmark’s most successful player, was part of The European Ryder Cup Team that defeated the United States at Gleneagles in last autumn, having all but sealed his place in Paul McGinley’s nine automatic qualifying spots by finishing in a share of fourth place at Himmerland last year.
Bjørn won his first professional title at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort 20 years ago, at the 1995 Himmerland Open on the European Challenge Tour, and after making the cut at last week’s US PGA Championship, he heads home hoping to add to his 15 European Tour titles.
Defending champion is Scotland’s Marc Warren, who produced a superb third round performance in the wind last year, carding a five under par round of 66, before a closing 68 meant he finished two shots clear of Welshman Bradley Dredge.
Warren has been in good form again this summer, finishing tied fourth in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and fourth in the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play Championship.
Also in the field is The 2016 European Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke, who will get the chance to witness first-hand the tournament’s unique atmosphere, including the popular ‘Himmerland Hill’ around the par three 16thhole, before the event marks the end of The Ryder Cup points race next year.
