Seeing double: How Hojgaard is aiming to emulate his twin

Rasmus Hojgaard qualified automatically for Team Europe by finishing fifth in the Ryder Cup rankings

Old habits die hard. Especially when you're seeing double in the European Ryder Cup team.

But Rasmus Hojgaard, who has replaced his twin Nicolai in the sole change to the squad from Rome, doesn't mind being mistaken for his brother.

"I've been called 'Nicolai' pretty much half the time by everyone," he smiled when asked about his experience so far as part of the team.

"It's all right. It is what it is. I'm used to it. I've been used to it for 20 years now. So it doesn't really bother me."

Some twins, and many siblings generally across the sporting world, prefer not to be constantly seen as part of a package and want to be regarded as being their own person.

Hojgaard isn't too bothered about that, it seems, and believes he will bring similar qualities as his brother - big-hitting and patience on the course, dry humour off it - to the European locker room.

Rasmus Hojgaard (right) poses with his brother Nicolai after winning the 2023 Danish Golf Championship

"Obviously Nicolai and I are very similar, so there won't be a lot of change in the team room," said the 24-year-old Dane, who was around the camp at Marco Simone two years ago.

"As important as it was for me to get to know the guys [in Rome], I think it was important for them to learn more about me as well.

"I don't think it's going to be a big change for them."

Hojgaard let slip that Shane Lowry is one of the culprits who calls him 'Nicolai' - although it could well be that the Irishman is probably on the wind-up.

But if Lowry genuinely can't tell them apart, he might find himself on the end of a prank in the future.

"We've never done anything crazy, but in school we changed classes and the teacher wouldn't notice for an hour and a half. We did that a few times," Hojgaard smiled.

Maybe European captain Luke Donald could consider a swap if Rasmus doesn't bring his A-game on Friday...