Following Jonathan Gøth-Rasmussen’s narrow victory over Calum Fyfe at Bogense Golf Club last year, the Danish Golf Challenge returned to the 2000 and 2024 venue, Odense Eventyr Golf Club, some 20 miles down the road. Odense, the third largest city in Denmark, had previously seen Andreas Halvorsen emerge victorious in 2024, winning by three shots.

Scandinavians continued to dominate the list of past winners, with Swede Fredrik Henge having shot ten under par at Odense Eventyr in 2000, before Norwegian Halvorsen posted 19 under par in 2024. Gøth-Rasmussen’s victory last year continued the trend, with the Dane also finishing on 19 under par for the week, meaning low scoring was expected once again. DP World Tour winner Matteo Manassero had also been crowned champion in recent years.

It proved to be a long week for some players, with U.S. Open Final Qualifying having taken place at Walton Heath Golf Club on May 18, the Monday of the Danish Golf Challenge. Tapio Pulkkanen, Callum Farr and Jhared Hack all competed before flying out to Denmark, with Pulkkanen coming closest to qualifying after shooting eight under par across two rounds, finishing two shots short. Road to Mallorca leader MJ Daffue also performed well, shooting five under par, but did not feature in the field that week as players battled it out for the €300,000 prize pool.

Tapio Pulkkanen claimed his second HotelPlanner Tour title on Sunday, winning the Danish Golf Challenge in a dramatic play-off at Odense Eventyr Golf.

Here’s the prize money breakdown for each golfer at the 2026 Danish Golf Challenge

1 Tapio Pulkkanen €48,000.00

2 Maxence Giboudot €33,000.00

3 Algot Kleen €18,000.00

3 Juan Salama €18,000.00

3 Adam Wallin €18,000.00

6 Liam Nolan €10,800.00

6 Martin Simonsen €10,800.00

8 Javier Barcos Garbayo €7,050.00

8 Haydn Barron €7,050.00

8 Tom Lewis €7,050.00

8 Clément Sordet €7,050.00

12 Jeppe Kristian Andersen €5,250.00

12 Jonathan Gøth-Rasmussen €5,250.00

12 Lars van der Vight €5,250.00

12 Marc Warren €5,250.00

16 Anton Albers €4,050.00

16 Bastien Amat €4,050.00

16 Pedro Figueiredo €4,050.00

16 Ryan van Velzen €4,050.00

20 Matteo Cristoni €2,898.75

20 Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon €2,898.75

20 Tobias Edén €2,898.75

20 Pablo Ereno €2,898.75

20 Christian Jacobsen €2,898.75

20 Wilco Nienaber €2,898.75

20 Jan Schneider €2,898.75

20 Chris Wood €2,898.75

28 Björn Åkesson €2,430.00

28 Nick Carlson €2,430.00

28 Alex Goff €2,430.00

28 Clement Guichard €2,430.00

28 Kristian Krogh Johannessen €2,430.00

28 Anton Karlsson €2,430.00

34 Jean Bekirian €2,070.00

34 John-Ross Galbraith €2,070.00

34 David Horsey €2,070.00

34 Alexander Knappe €2,070.00

34 John Murphy €2,070.00

34 Baard Skogen €2,070.00

40 Wil Besseling €1,680.00

40 Jannik de Bruyn €1,680.00

40 Chase Hanna €1,680.00

40 Sam Hutsby €1,680.00

40 Saptak Talwar €1,680.00

40 Joseba Torres €1,680.00

40 Borja Virto €1,680.00

47 Bailey Gill €1,252.50

47 Gregor Graham €1,252.50

47 Michael Hirmer €1,252.50

47 Palmer Jackson €1,252.50

47 Joel Moscatel €1,252.50

47 David Nyfjall €1,252.50

47 Mark Power €1,252.50

47 Aron Zemmer €1,252.50

55 Javier Calles Roman €1,080.00

56 Sam Jones €1,005.00

56 Dermot McElroy €1,005.00

56 Benjamin Rusch €1,005.00

56 Albin Tiden €1,005.00

60 Barclay Brown €885.00

60 Charles Huntzinger €885.00

60 Haraldur Magnus €885.00

60 Corey Shaun €885.00

64 Robert Foley €795.00

64 Max Kennedy €795.00

66 George Bloor €705.00

66 Hamish Brown €705.00

66 Frederik Eisenbeis €705.00

66 Will Porter €705.00

70 Loïc Naas €630.00

71 August Thor Host €600.00

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Getty Images

The post Here’s the prize money breakdown for each golfer at the 2026 Danish Golf Challenge appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Here’s the prize money breakdown for each golfer at the 2026 Danish Golf Challenge

The moment Tapio Pulkkanen secured his second HotelPlanner Tour victory a 30-foot bomb for eagle!#HotelPlannerTour | #DanishGolfChallenge pic.twitter.com/JhDX6aY7sg

— HotelPlanner Tour (@HPlanner_Tour) May 24, 2026

The 36-year-old birdied the par-five 18th in regulation play to force extra holes against Frenchman Maxence Giboudot, who closed with a par having held a one-stroke lead on the tee.

The pair then had 30-foot putts for eagle on the first play-off hole, with Pulkkanen pouring his in first, to which Giboudot could not respond.

“It’s a great feeling,” Pulkkanen said. “It was a rollercoaster day. I started okay with a birdie on four but then I made the triple and I was shocked.

“I played the next holes really badly. But it was a nice finish with the eagle on 15, birdie on 18 and eagle in the play-off so I’m happy right now.”

An early birdie on the par-five fourth had given Pulkkanen a four-stroke lead, before a triple bogey on seven and another bogey on nine meant the Finn made the turn at 16 under par and two back of the lead.

Playing partner Giboudot made two birdies to end his front nine, including an inch perfect chip in on the ninth, to lead at 18 under par.

But Pulkkanen fought back, making an eagle three on the 15th, before his birdie at the last and eagle in the play-off secured his first title since 2017.

The winner said he never felt out of it on the day, even when he found himself behind.

“No one really got away from me,” Pulkkanen added. “I think the lead was three shots at one point so I kind of felt like I could still do it, and I just trusted myself and it worked out.

“I had to check a couple of times what was happening elsewhere, so I knew it was still do-able.

“It’s almost a ten-year anniversary from my last win on the HotelPlanner Tour so it was good that I won now. I’m trying to chase for another one.”

Pulkkanen says this win will change his focus more on to the HotelPlanner Tour, despite his eligibility to play some DP World Tour events, in the hopes of boosting his Road to Mallorca Ranking.

“I’m still getting in a couple of DP World Tour events, but I think I’m going to focus more on the HotelPlanner Tour for this year,” he said.

Spain’s Juan Salama and Swedish duo Algot Kleen and Adam Wallin finished at 16 under par in a tie for third, while Ireland’s Liam Nolan and Denmark’s Martin Simonsen finished a shot further back. Spain’s Javier Barcos Garbayo, England’s Tom Lewis, France’s Clement Sordet and Australia’s Haydn Barron rounded out the top ten.

The win moves Pulkkanen up 21 spots to fourth in the Road to Mallorca, with Giboudot also moving to fifth.

The HotelPlanner Tour now heads to Spain for the Challenge de Espana at Isla Canela Links in Huelva, from May 28-31.

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Getty Images

The post Tapio Pulkkanen claims second HotelPlanner Tour title at Danish Golf Challenge appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The Dane signed for a final round five under par 67 at Bogense Golf Club, to go with rounds of 66-70-66 for a 19 under par total, finishing one shot ahead of Scotland’s Calum Fyfe who had led after each of the opening three rounds.

The moment Jonathan Gøth-Rasmussen sealed his second HotelPlanner Tour victory #DanishGolfChallenge pic.twitter.com/LfE3AuIrB7

— HotelPlanner Tour (@HPlanner_Tour) May 25, 2025

Gøth-Rasmussen, who won his maiden HotelPlanner Tour title in Cadiz 12 months ago, started the final round three shots back of Fyfe but made up ground thanks to three front nine gains.

Further birdies on the 12th and 14th saw the Dane pull two clear of the former Tartan Pro Tour man, however the Scot got within one thanks to a gain on the 17th. After both players found the 18th green, Gøth-Rasmussen holed his birdie putt to seal a one shot victory.

“It feels very nice. It was a tough grind out there today and I am really pleased about getting it done,” he said.

“I was most proud of my putt on 18. I played really well all day and stayed present, in the moment, and managed to hit some quality shots.”

With Fyfe in close on the 72nd hole, the 27-year-old was relieved to see his birdie attempt hit the back of the cup.

“It was a tricky putt because it was downhill after the hole and I didn’t want to have a three footer coming back, so I had to sneak it in there,” he added. “I thought it was short, but it just dropped.”

With several players, including Irishman Liam Nolan and Frenchman Julien Sale putting pressure on the leaders, Gøth-Rasmussen was aware of what was required as he made the turn.

“I was keeping up to date with the leaderboard and I knew I could play the par fives on the back nine well,” the 2024 Challenge de Cadiz winner added. “When I saw I was leading I knew I had to take care of those and see where it would take me.”

The 27-year-old, who is the son of former HotelPlanner Tour winner Jacob Rasmussen, was well supported by his family throughout all four rounds in Bogense.

“It was great having my family here, they were cheering me on all the way around,” he said. “I’ve had a really rough start to the year, so it was good to get going and I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Fyfe ends the week in solo second on 18 under par, two shots ahead of Nolan, with Sweden’s Christofer Blomstrand one shot further back on 15 under par.

Gøth-Rasmussen moves up to 11th on the season-long Road to Mallorca Rankings.

The HotelPlanner Tour returns for the Challenge de Cadiz at Iberostar Real Golf Novo Sancti Petri from May 29 – June 1.

Main Image: Getty Images

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

X

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

The post Home delight for Gøth-Rasmussen in sealing dramatic Danish Golf Challenge victory appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Halvorsen, who led by three strokes going into the final round at Odense Eventyr Golf, fired three birdies on the front nine to hold a four-shot advantage before play was suspended due to threat of lightning.

Despite dropping shots on the first two holes after the restart, Halvorsen held his nerve to card a one under par 71 and finish three strokes clear of Englishman John Parry, Icelander Gudmunder Kristjansson, and Finn Oliver Lindell.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Challenge Tour (@challengetour)

“This is huge,” the Norwegian said. “Going into the day that’s what I was hoping for, so I’m very pleased to finally get it done.

“I tried not to let my mind go, but obviously it did at times. I don’t think I’ve played a round being more stressed than this – I’m very pleased to be done and win.”

“[My parents] came here Wednesday night and we’ve had a fantastic week here, so it’s been really special.”

The 27-year-old led from the first round in Odense after carding three consecutive rounds of 66 over the first 54 holes. He highlighted the importance of those low scoring rounds in giving him the confidence to seal the win heading into Sunday.

“I played some great golf the first three days to even have a chance,” he said. “Starting the season, I didn’t really think I would be good enough to do this – it’s cool seeing that I am.

“Obviously this is also going to help my ranking quite a bit.”

How it finished in Odense #DanishGolfChallenge pic.twitter.com/pTgqWze08O

— HotelPlanner Tour (@HPlanner_Tour) May 26, 2024

Denmark’s Peter Launer Baek – who was playing on his home course this week – finished fifth at 15 under par, one shot clear of Road to Mallorca Number One Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, who shared sixth with fellow Dane Jens Kristian Thysted and Frenchman Felix Mory.

Halvorsen’s victory catapults him into the top ten on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, while Neergaard-Petersen remains in pole position with a 420-point lead over Parry – who leapfrogs Spaniard Joel Moscatel, Frenchman Alex Levy, and Swede Mikael Lindberg into second.

The Road to Mallorca takes a week off before returning for the Challenge de Cadiz at Iberostar Real Golf Novo Sancti Petri in Andalucia, Spain from June 6-9.

Image: Octavio Passos / Getty Images

The post Halvorsen holds his nerve to claim maiden Challenge Tour title in Denmark appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.