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Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen reacts after beating Cameron Smith by one stroke to win the Australian Open

Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images
Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images
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Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen beat Cameron Smith by one stroke to win the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

Neergaard-Petersen and Smith were joined by Si Woo Kim in the final tee time on Sunday morning.

Smith (-2) had the best round of the trio, but it was still not enough to take the Dane into a playoff hole.

Neergaard-Petersen has now opened up on his victory in Melbourne, which has also booked his place at The Masters.

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen of Denmark poses with the Stonehaven Cup after victory on day four of the Crown Australian Open 2025
Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen wins the Australian Open

Neergaard-Petersen was just about too good for Smith, despite the Australian’s home advantage at Royal Melbourne.

The 26-year-old, who had never won a DP World Tour event, made an incredible up-and-down on the 18th hole.

“I’m really at a loss for words,” he said afterwards. “It’s been a battle all day. From the outside, sometimes you can look calm, but there was a storm inside all day today.

Which tournament would you like to see become the fifth major championship?

The Australian Open, for example, should almost be the fifth major. The market down there is huge with potential.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his second shot on the second hole one on day three of the Crown Australian Open 2025
Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

“But I managed to just keep battling and then to get it up and down from there to make that putt on the last – I don’t really know what to say, to be honest. It’s one of those things I feel like I’ve done the other couple of days – I’ve been able to finish well.

“So I always had that belief that if I just kept trying to hit my spots, eventually the putts were going to drop and I was going to be able to get some of those shots back.

“Obviously, the birdie on the 12th was huge, getting back into a tie for the lead there.”

Neergaard-Petersen has also posted about his Australian Open victory on Instagram.

“Haven’t got the words right now. This day is everything. Thank you, Australian Open,” read his caption.

A general view of Amen Corner at Augusta National
Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen qualifies for The Masters

Arguably, the best part of Neergaard-Petersen’s Australian Open win is that he has qualified for The Masters in 2026.

He played in the PGA Championship and the US Open earlier this year, but he has never been to Augusta National.

“It means the world,” Neergaard-Petersen added. “The Masters is the event I’ve grown up watching so many times, just dreaming of playing it.

“Getting to do that is awesome. It’s gone by so fast. I don’t feel like it’s been two and a half years since I’ve been out of college. I haven’t even been a pro for that long.

“To get the win here at my final event of the year was the only thing missing from a perfect year. I’m so happy.”