Open Champion and Ryder Cup hero Francesco Molinari to KLM Open 2025
The KLM Open confirms the arrival of Francesco Molinari, from June 5 to 8 at The International near Amsterdam. Following the Italian Major winner, the organization also welcomes fifteen top players from the DP World Tour top 5. Among them is none other than the current number two in the Race to Dubai, Laurie Canter. PGA Tour players Thriston Lawrence (South Africa), Troy Merritt, and Brandon Wu will also compete, alongside Haotong Li, Marcel Siem, Johannes Veerman, and Eugenio Chacarra.
Laurie Canter
World-class players
Francesco Molinari was the first Italian to win a Major. Together with his brother Edoardo, he made his Ryder Cup debut in 2010. In 2018, he became the first European player ever to score five points out of five matches.
Molinari enjoys returning to the KLM Open. “I’m looking forward to playing in the Netherlands again! It’s been 15 years since I last played at the KLM Open (T8 in 2010). This tournament has a great tradition, with three Italian winners, including the current champion Guido Migliozzi. I would love to connect my name to this iconic event.”
Thriston Lawrence won two tournaments in 2022 and another two in 2023. Last year, he finished runner-up five times and ended third in the Race to Dubai. This earned him a PGA Tour card, but he chooses to play the KLM Open as preparation for the US Open a week later. Alongside Lawrence, PGA Tour players Troy Merritt and Brandon Wu will also compete.
Chinese top players
Chinese golfer Haotong Li is having a strong season. The 29-year-old won the Qatar Masters in January and finished in the top 10 in three of his last four tournaments. At The International, he will be joined by two other strong compatriots: former KLM Open winner Ashun Wu, who recently claimed the Volvo China Open, and 20-year-old Wenyi Ding. This promising rookie makes his professional debut at the KLM Open, having impressed earlier as an amateur.
Other big names include Marcel Siem (Germany), Yannick Paul (Germany), Jorge Campillo (Spain), Eugenio Chacarra (Spain), and Johannes Veerman (USA). Fan favorite Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thailand), who narrowly missed winning in 2017, will also compete. The first wildcard has been awarded to Englishman Chris Wood. The Ryder Cup player, who recently finished an impressive seventh in Turkey after some difficult years, can showcase himself again thanks to this invitation.
Previously announced are tournament ambassador Joost Luiten, defending champion Guido Migliozzi (Italy), Darius van Driel, Wil Besseling, former winner Pablo Larrazábal (Spain), and Major winner Jimmy Walker (USA).
Proud of the depth and strength of the field
Daan Slooter sports tournament director KLM Open: “We are incredibly pleased that Francesco is returning to the KLM Open after all these years. When players of the caliber of Molinari and Lawrence choose to play with us instead of on the PGA Tour, it says something about the status of the KLM Open and the unique atmosphere created by our volunteers and spectators. But perhaps I’m even more proud of the depth and strength of the field. It promises to be a fantastic tournament.”
