Nicolai Hojgaard is three shots adrift of leader Gary Woodland at the halfway stage of the Texas Children’s Houston Open as he looks to clinch a place at The Masters.
The Dane is currently ranked 47th in the world with the top 50 after this week’s tournament to receive invitations to the Augusta National major from April 9, live on Sky Sports.
Hojgaard is well-placed to secure his spot after a round-of-the-day eight-under 62 at Memorial Park on Friday, one that featured seven birdies – including four in a row to finish – an eagle and a sole bogey.
The 25-year-old – who missed the cut on his Masters debut in 2025 – is in a share of second place alongside Jackson Suber on 10 under with Woodland on 13 under after a seven-under 63.
Hojgaard said: “It’s so easy to say [The Masters] is not on my mind and good golf will take care of it. It’s on my mind 100 per cent, we all want to be there.
“But when I’m playing golf I don’t think about it. I feel like my game is good enough to qualify for it. There’s two more days here in Houston and I like where my game is at.”
Woodland ‘feeding off’ crowd support in Houston
Woodland is pursuing a first PGA Tour title since the 2019 US Open at Pebble Beach.
Gary Woodland leads the Texas Children’s Houston Open by three shots at the halfway stage
The 41-year-old – who would seal a Masters spot himself with victory in Houston – underwent brain surgery in 2023 and later spoke about the post-traumatic stress disorder he has suffered.
The world No 139 said going public made him feel “1,000 pounds lighter” and he is now hoping to “feed off” crowd support across the final two rounds in Texas.
Woodland told reporters: “This as much as any week, I feel like I’ve had a lot of support. I kind of feel like I’m playing at home.
“The fans have been amazing. I kind of need that energy to help me through the day, that definitely helps. That’s something hopefully I can ride on this weekend as well.”
Pierceson Coody faces an anxious wait to see whether he will qualify for The Masters
World No 56 Michael Thorbjornsen is at eight under and in joint-sixth as he targets a Masters place but Pierceson Coody now faces a waiting game ahead of Augusta after he was forced to withdraw in Houston with a back injury.
Coody, the grandson of 1971 Masters champion Charles Coody, is projected to be 50th in the world after this week but could yet be overtaken.
Watch round three of the Texas Children’s Houston Open live on Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm on Saturday. There is also coverage on Sky Sports Main Event from 8pm.
