Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen has earned himself a win and an invited to the Masters after beating LIV golf’s Cameron Smith in a thrilling playoff and McIlroy falls short
17:48 ET, 07 Dec 2025Updated 18:04 ET, 07 Dec 2025
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen earns Masters invite with win in Australia(Image: Getty Images)
In a wild and incredible finish at the Australian Open, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen earned himself a chance to compete at The Masters in 2026.
The final round boiled down to the 72nd hole against Neergaard-Petersen and Cameron Smith, the hometown favorite and former major champion, but Neergaard-Petersen came out on top and now has the chance to win the green jacket in April.
The two stood deadlocked at 15-under and Neergaard-Petersen’s drive on the 18th drifted into the right rough which is a less than ideal lie. He lobbed the ball onto the green and calmly sank a 12-foot putt to save par.
Smith, a LIV Golf star who has struggled the past few seasons, positioned himself for a playoff against the Danish golfer. His tee shot found the green and though his birdie effort drifted short, the five-foot par putt worked out in his favor.
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“It’s hard. I’m really at a loss for words. It’s been a battle all day,” Neergaard-Petersen said. “Even from the outside, you can look calm, but it was a storm inside [for me] all day. But I managed to keep battling and to get it up and down to make that putt on the last. I don’t know what to say, to be honest.”
Not only does the victory earn him a championship title, but a chance at one of the most prestigious trophies in golf.
The 26-year-old Dane has climbed rapidly since turning professional in 2023, and just last month he secured the rights to play on the PGA Tour next season.
Cam Smith misses putt at Australian Open to give trohpy to Neergaard-Petersen
Meanwhile, Smith is left to think about what could have been. Once a major winner and local hero is looking back at an almost-trophy.
Smith, who has been searching a while for a trophy, said that he’s never enjoyed a moment more.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had this feeling to be honest,” he said. “I love that it’s the Australian Open. I couldn’t think of a better place to get back into form. It would shut a few people up.”
Neergaard-Petersen earned the crown in front of one of the largest crowds with the help of Rory McIlroy.
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McIlroy, the 2025 Masters champion, added that he will be back to the tournament.
“It’s been absolutely amazing,” said McIlroy post-round. “I’ve been excited to come back down here for a while.
“Obviously it’s been over 10 years since I played in the Australian Open and I guess just look the scenes out there this week, the crowds, the golf course, they were absolutely incredible.”
