Rasmus Nergaard-Petersen wins first DP World Tour title at Australian Crown Open – Golf News
Neergaard-Petersen is no stranger to the winner’s circle, having tasted victory three times on the 2024 HotelPlanner Tour and topping the Road to Mallorca rankings.
However, despite a remarkable 2025 season on the DP World Tour and a dual membership on the PGA Tour, he failed to win.
He entered the final round with a two-stroke advantage, but his lead evaporated early on when he bogeyed the fourth hole.
Nelgaard-Petersen birdied the sixth hole to regain the commanding lead, but had two more bogeys on the ninth and 10th holes to start the back nine two strokes behind Smith.
A long birdie on the tough 12th hole led to a two-shot swing that put Nelgaard-Petersen back in a tie for the lead, then a close-range birdie on the 13th hole left him alone in front.
Nergard-Petersen did well to save par after his tee shot on the 14th hole landed under a tree on the right, but he was caught at the top when Smith birdied the same hole.
As Nergard-Petersen and Smith both birdied the 17th hole, there was no gap between the two with one hole left.
Augusta trip
But Neilgaard-Petersen came through in a big moment to win the event and earn a spot at next year’s Masters.
He said: “I really have nothing to say.
“It’s been a battle all day long. From the outside you can look calm at times, but all day today it was stormy inside.
“But I managed to keep fighting and then it was up and down from there, hitting the ball on the last putt – I don’t really know what to say, to be honest.
“That’s one of the things I felt like I did the other day – I was able to do it well.
“So I always had the belief that if I kept hitting the ball hard, eventually the putts would go down and I would be able to take some back.
“Obviously, the birdie on 12 was a big one to get back into the tie there.”
“It means the world,” he added of purchasing tickets to Augusta National Golf Club.
“The Masters is an event I watched so many times growing up and just dreamed of playing it.
“It’s great to be able to do this. Time goes by so fast. I don’t feel like I’ve been out of college for two and a half years. I haven’t even been a pro that long.
“Getting a win in my last race of the year was the only thing missing from a perfect year. I’m happy.”
