American amateur Howell expects a tough test
02 Jun 2026
American amateur Howell expects a tough test
Mason Howell is a notable presence at The International this week. Just a few months ago, he played two rounds alongside Rory McIlroy at The Masters at Augusta National. “I’m sure this week at the KLM Open will also be a tough test for me.”
He turns 18 in just a few weeks, and there aren’t many teenagers walking around the driving range at The International this week. That’s why Howell was pleased to find fellow teenager Guus Lafeber upon arrival today. The two had previously met at a junior tournament in the United States.
“A nice guy and a very good golfer. I also met his father, who gave me his phone number in case I needed anything here in the Netherlands. Very kind.”
Howell is a talented American amateur golfer and is visiting the Netherlands for the first time. “I can still feel the jetlag, so I’m already kind of looking forward to my bed,” he says with a smile when speaking to the media.
Tough course
As the winner of the US Amateur, he earned his place at The Masters and will also compete in The Open in a few weeks’ time. The Masters proved a demanding challenge, and he had nothing but praise for McIlroy: “An awesome dude, and very kind to my family over those two days. During the rounds, I kept watching in amazement as he somehow managed to escape from trouble in miraculous ways.”
In Amsterdam, similar challenges may lie ahead. “I hear the course can be very difficult, with thick rough and especially a lot of wind. That’s one of the reasons I want to play more in Europe. In the US we often get perfect conditions, but at The Open I’ll also need to be ready for tougher weather.”
Defending champion Connor Syme at the press conference
Defending champion
In ‘bad weather’, Connor Syme won the KLM Open last year. Pretty normal for a Scotsman, you might think. “But it actually rains less often in Scotland than you think,” the 30-year-old defending champion replied.
“It feels good to be back in the Netherlands and even on the same course.” In Amsterdam, Syme is hoping to rediscover the good feeling he had after his victory last year, which he lost shortly after.
Today, he spent extra time looking at the trophy, on which his name is engraved among some of the game’s greats. “I had hoped that my first win on tour would take the pressure off and lead to a run of better golf, but that hasn’t really worked out.”
Golfers often find that missing piece of the puzzle in places where they have previously been successful, and Syme is hoping for exactly that. “If conditions are somewhat similar to last year, I can better remember the decisions I made on certain shots, and that might help me move forward again. But the weather will improve as the week goes on, and I think that’s good for the fans as well. It’s up to me to show I can still compete with the best.”
