Luiten Holds His Own in the First Round of the KLM Open
The quality of the golfers competing in the KLM Open was evident this morning. Although the wind at The International made life difficult for the players, the early starters still posted a number of impressive scores on the leaderboard. One of them belonged to Joost Luiten.
The International, prepared for the KLM Open, is every amateur golfer’s nightmare. Thick, penal rough, narrow fairways, and fast greens. Add strong winds and wet conditions, and experts predicted that the course would truly show its teeth this week.
Luiten Delivers
However, not all players in the KLM Open are easily unsettled by a difficult hole, a heavy rain shower, or a strong gust of wind. During the first part of the morning round, which was suspended for over an hour due to thunderstorms, more than a handful of players impressed with excellent rounds.
Among them was Joost Luiten, the popular home favorite and tournament ambassador. Hundreds of spectators followed him and his playing partners, Jayden Schaper and defending champion Connor Syme, throughout the morning.
Luiten did not disappoint. After signing for a round of 69 (-2), he was more than happy heading into lunch.
“Anything under par in these conditions is a good score,” said the two-time tournament winner, who left the course far less cheerful after an opening-round +1 last year. “It was tough out there today, and in weather like this you have to hit fairways and greens. I managed that reasonably well.”
His birdie on the second hole provided an early boost.
“It was nice to get that birdie on the card early in the round. I made four birdies in total, which is solid. One of the two bogeys should have been avoided, but in these conditions there are only two or three easy holes out there. You have to be careful, and with this wind you can hardly attack any flags. The wind even made putting difficult. So I’m definitely pleased with this start.”
Luiten had just holed his final putt on the 9th hole when the siren sounded to signal approaching thunderstorms, bringing play to a halt for nearly two hours.
Shortly after play resumed, Frenchman Julien Guerrir posted the best morning round with a 65 (-6).
Dutch Representation Grows
The number of Dutch players in this year’s KLM Open has now risen to sixteen. Tim van der Steen was informed yesterday that he would be the first reserve, but he remained on standby until just half an hour before his scheduled tee time. When Andrew Johnston withdrew at the last minute, the 24-year-old Dutchman had to rush to the first tee.
Bob van der Voort also saw his patience rewarded at the very last moment. He was able to take the place of the withdrawn Thriston Lawrence just before play began.
Follow the live scores here.
