Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen was left to reflect on a 'crazy' year as he arrived in Australia to start his DP World Tour season in a very different position to 12 months ago.
When the Dane arrived at Royal Queensland Golf Club for last season's BMW Australian PGA Championship, he was playing his first season as a full member, albeit one who had enjoyed a rapid rise after claiming three wins on the HotelPlanner Tour.
Some impressive showings over the past two seasons had earmarked Neergaard-Petersen as one to watch but even recording a top ten in Brisbane could not have prepared him - or the golfing world - for what was to come.
2025 saw him claim eight DP World Tour top tens, including a runner-up finish in Qatar and a tie for third at the season finale after playing in the final group on Sunday alongside Rory McIlroy.
He also finished second on his PGA TOUR debut at the Puerto Rico Open and he will now be spending more time in the US after his Race to Dubai placing of 15th earned him dual membership.
He admits it is "weird" being back with so much having changed but is eager to get started on what could be another life-changing year.
“I was practising earlier today, told my caddie that it’s kind of a weird feeling being back here because so much happened in the last 12 to 13 months,” he said.
“It’s a weird feeling to think that it’s only 12 months ago I was having my first start, the first whole season and now I’m going to the PGA TOUR next year.
“It’s been crazy to say the least. Obviously really happy with where my game is at. I’ve been playing some really good golf and I really, really loved it down here last year.
“I’ve actually been looking forward to coming down to Australia again for quite some time.”
Next week he will head to the storied Royal Melbourne for the Crown Australian Open as the eyes of the golfing world stay Down Under for a bumper fortnight.
International stars join home favourites for the two biggest events on the Australian men's golfing calendar and Neergaard-Petersen has been getting a local flavour by playing Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club with Melbourne-native and fellow DP World Tour star David Micheluzzi.
“I could find a lot worse things to do on a week off then playing Sandbelt courses. It was pretty awesome,” he said
“I loved being down here last year and loved both this event and the Australian Open.
“I don’t think you get courses like that anywhere else in the world. It’s such a treat to go out there and play, especially on a week off instead of maybe going home or just doing other stuff.
“To be out there with ‘Micha’ and some of his friends and just playing a round of golf at a great course and just having a good time, I loved every minute of it.”
