Venue: Great Northern Golf Course, Kerteminde, Funen (Fyn), Denmark. This is a Nicklaus Design championship layout that opened in 2017—the first Danish course by Nicklaus Design. It plays as a par-72 measuring 7,314 yards (approximately 6,688 meters). The course features dramatic elevation changes (highest point ~40 meters above sea level with views toward the Great Belt), seven artificial lakes (water in play on up to nine holes), bunkering, and a mix of open and enclosed spaces on sandy, fast-draining soil. Notable stretches include challenging par-4s with water and elevated tees; wind is a frequent factor that can significantly alter playability.
Dates and starting times: August 13–16, 2026 (Thursday–Sunday). This is a standard 72-hole stroke-play DP World Tour event (part of the Closing Swing / Race to Dubai) with a 144-player field and a 36-hole cut. First-round tee times began around 7:30 a.m. local time (CEST). Prize fund is approximately $3 million (around 17.5–20 million DKK in some reports). Coverage is available via Golf Channel (e.g., early windows in ET) and DP World Tour free streaming platforms (World Feed times roughly 11:00–16:00 GMT Thursday/Friday, adjusted weekends).
Weather conditions: Mild late-summer Danish weather is expected. Forecasts for the Kerteminde/Funen area and nearby regions point to mostly sunny or clear conditions, daytime highs around 20–23°C (68–73°F), overnight lows in the mid-teens °C (upper 50s to mid-60s °F), light to moderate winds (often southerly or variable, potentially influential on this exposed coastal-influenced layout), and low precipitation chances during the tournament window. Comfortable for players and spectators compared with hotter continental events, though wind remains a key variable.
Course conditions: The course is well-prepared on fast-draining sandy soil and has been ready for championship play for weeks. Expect firm, high-quality fairways and greens typical of a premium Nicklaus Design resort layout, with water hazards and elevation creating strategic demands. Wind can change the course’s personality day to day. Precision and course management are rewarded; the layout tests both length and accuracy, with water and bunkers penalizing misses. As a first-time DP World Tour host (the 466th distinct venue in Tour history), conditions should present a fresh challenge.
Player matchups / featured groups: A strong Danish contingent (around 16 players) headlines the home support. Notable Round 1 groupings include Rasmus Højgaard (2023 champion) with Bernd Wiesberger (two-time winner, 2019 & 2021) and Eugenio Chacarra (starting ~08:00 local off the 10th). Other interesting three-balls feature Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen with Henrik Stenson and Oliver Lindell; Jacob Skov Olesen with Mikael Lindberg and Bubba Watson; and Thorbjørn Olesen with Richard Sterne and Dan Bradbury. The field mixes established DP World Tour winners, major champions (Watson, Stenson), rising stars, and home favorites.
Tournament history: Founded in 2014 as the Made in Denmark (later Made in HimmerLand), the event has rotated venues (primarily HimmerLand, with stops at Silkeborg Ry, Lübker, and Furesø) before moving to Great Northern for 2026—the first time at this Nicklaus Design course. It was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. Bernd Wiesberger is the only multiple winner (2019, 2021). Recent champions include: Marco Penge (2025, –16 at Furesø, one stroke over Rasmus Højgaard); Frédéric Lacroix (2024, –14 at Lübker); Rasmus Højgaard (2023, –13 in a playoff—the first Danish winner); Oliver Wilson (2022, –21); and earlier winners such as Matt Wallace (2018), Thomas Pieters (2016), and Marc Warren (inaugural 2014). Lowest winning scores relative to par have reached –21.
Recent player forms (key notes):
Eugenio Chacarra (pre-tournament favorite): Strong overall form and highest-ranked player in the field in some metrics; two wins already this season in some reports.
Rasmus Højgaard: Consistent contender at home events; 2023 champion and runner-up in 2025; powerful length and solid putting, though accuracy can fluctuate.
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen: Strong tee-to-green game; recent DP World Tour winner (e.g., Australian Open context in broader form notes); solid home-crowd energy.
Jacob Skov Olesen, Thorbjørn Olesen, Oliver Lindell, Angel Ayora, Mikael Lindberg, and others bring recent wins, top finishes, or consistency. Veterans like Bubba Watson and Henrik Stenson add experience; home players carry combined elevated win probability. Round 1 (underway) has already seen strong scoring, with early leaders including Félix Mory (–7), Brandon Stone and Lucas Bjerregaard (around –6), and others in the mid-60s.
Betting trends
Trends favor accurate ball-strikers who handle wind and water, with strong home support boosting Danish win probability (collectively the highest national group). Value often sought on in-form Europeans or recent winners; cut-line pressure is high in a full field.
