Damien Kayat previews the 2023 Made in HimmerLand coming your way from the HimmerLand Golf & Spa Resort, Farsø.
2022/2023 DP World Tour
Made in HimmerLand
Backtee New Course, HimmerLand Golf and Spa Resort, Aalborg, Denmark
6th-9th July
Having hosted the Ryder Cup on numerous occasions, the Belfry has seen it’s fair share of drama. But I don’t think anyone could have possibly envisaged Daniel Hillier’s heroics during the final stretch of last week’s British Masters. The New Zealander- who finished in a tie for 3rd at the recent BMW International Open- was three shots off the pace with four holes to play. But he sensationally eagled both the 15th and 17th (throwing in a birdie on the 16th for good measure). It was a victory for the ages and secured Hillier’s spot at Royal Liverpool.
The tour moves to Denmark this week for the 9th edition of the Made in HimmerLand event. Previously called the Made in Denmark, this event was played at Thomas Bjorn’s home course of Silkeborg in 2018. Other than that, every edition of this event has been hosted at HimmerLand Golf and Spa Resort.
The stunning Backtee New Course will play just a smidge under 6,700 yards, making it one of the shortest par 71’s you are likely to encounter on any tour. The enigmatic Oliver Wilson won last year’s event with a winning score of 21-under-par. And I think you can expect a similarly low-scoring affair this year. This par-71, exposed inland layout could theoretically be destroyed by the bombers. But this undulating, linksy course won’t be conquered by power alone. The rolling bentgrass greens could prove pivotal in deciding this week’s champion.
Scrambling and putting metrics have proven to be the greatest indicators of success at HimmerLand (Wilson ranked 3rd for Putting Average last year). So, players with accomplished short-games should thrive here. But power off the tee is always a positive on an exposed layout such as this. Keep an eye out for the par-three 16th. The signature hole can seat up to 3,500 spectators and forms a natural amphitheater. It is a tiny wisp of a hole that should provide plenty of drama this week.
I have been somewhat disappointed with these NextGen Ryder Cup hopefuls and their lack of killer instinct. I’m talking about the likes of Yannick Paul and Robert Macintyre. If there has ever been a year where someone can stake a claim to a Ryder Cup place: this is the one. At least Paul managed to pick up a top 10 finish last week. Macintyre is really starting to infuriate me. He just can’t string four consistent rounds together. I’m far more inclined to opt for serial winners such as Pablo Larrazabal and Thorbjorn Olesen this week. How can Larrazabal be trading at 40/1 in this field?
Nicolai Hojgaard has returned form the States in poor form (missing two of his last three cuts). Yet he somehow leads this field at 16/1. The DP World Tour has turned into one of the most unpredictable sporting ventures out there. Daniel Hillier probably stands as good a chance of any of making it back-to-back wins this week.
Past Winners
2022: Oliver Wilson (-21)
2021: Bernd Wiesberger (-21)
2020: no event due to Covid
2019: Bernd Wiesberger (-14)
2018: Matt Wallace (-19) *playoff (Silkeborg)
2017: Julian Suri (-19)
Betting Favourites (To Win)
Nicolai Hojgaard (16/1), Rasmus Hojgaard (25/1), Robert Macintyre (25/1), Jordan Smith (18/1), Alexander Bjork (18/1)
Value Bets
Ewen Ferguson- To Win (28/1)
Had it not been for a truly terrible start last week- he was four-over-par after four holes at the Belfry- Ewen Ferguson may well have lifted his 3rd DP World Tour title. He ultimately finished just three shots off of the incredible Daniel Hillier. He drove the ball brilliantly at the Brabazon course and he could really go low this week. He finished just one shot behind Oliver Wilson last year, finishing with an exceptional score of 20-under-par. He just looks like terrific value at 35/1.
Matthew Jordan- To Win (50/1)
Matthew Jordan has been excelling with his short game of late and he could be a nice dark horse pick this week. The Englishman ranked 19th on the greens last week at the Belfry and prior to that he ranked 9th in Sweden, 22nd in Germany and 16th at the KLM. He will need his iron play to improve significantly this week. But this week will see an emphasis on short game stats. Also, Backtee has a real linksy feel to it and he had amateur wins at St Andrews and the Lytham Trophy. He also shot 62 here last year en route to a 4th place finish.
The Man to Beat- Thorbjorn Olesen- To Win (18/1)
I think Thorbjorn Olesen looks like sensational value this week as he looks to become the 5th player this season to win two trophies (he won the Thailand Classic back in January). The seven-time DP World Tour winner has obviously had well-documented issues to deal with. But he has played well since claiming that Thailand title (finishing 6th at the Indian Open and 3rd at the Soudal Open). He has an outside chance of Ryder Cup qualification and should be hugely motivated in his home country. He currently sits 6th on tour for SG Tee-to-Green.
He is a renowned big-hitter who has the power to overwhelm this layout. He finished 15th defending his British Masters title last week. But he could have been bang in contention had it not been for a few nightmare holes on the weekend.
