Rasmus Hojgaard takes early control at Danish Golf Championship

Home favourite Rasmus Hojgaard got his title defence off to a dream start as he fired an opening 65 on Thursday to lead the Danish Golf Championship by two shots.

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The four-time DP World Tour champion made history last summer as he became the first Danish winner of this event.

And he impressed once again on home soil on the opening morning as he made an eagle, five birdies and one bogey to reach six-under-par.

Wet and windy afternoon conditions meant none of the later starters were able to get close to Hojgaard's clubhouse target, with Frederic LaCroix, Jannik de Bruyn and Sam Jones his nearest challengers on four under.

Hojgaard said: "I thought the support was quite good for a Thursday morning.

"I always enjoy playing at home. I'm looking forward to going home, having a nice dinner and sleeping in my own bed tonight."

Waterford man Gary Hurley is one-over after a solid opening 72. Tom McKibbin is two shots further back following his first-round 73.

Meanwhile Scot Marc Warren made a spectacular ace at the par-three seventh, holing from 140 yards with a 50-degree wedge.