Leading role for Huizing in Oman

Blistering start as Dutchman returns to form

Joost Luiten wasn’t the only Dutch golfer playing a leading role in the NBO Oman Open (15-18 February). On Thursday, Daan Huizing, who had received a special invitation to play at Al Mouj Golf, set a roaring pace in the new event on the European Tour. The 27-year old from Soest shot an impressive opening round of 6-under par, 66 to lead the tournament.

An early morning start saw him make a run of three birdies from the seventh hole followed by four more on the back nine. The only blemish on his card was a bogey at the par-4, 17th. A 66 saw him top the leaderboard for much of the day until late starters from England, Paul Waring and Matthew Southgate, went one better and took the lead at 7-under par. Southgate’s round beautifully enhanced by a hole-in-one at the 150-yard, par-three 5th.

After a promising start to his professional career, Huizing has been struggling on the Challenge Tour for the last few years. In November, however, he secured himself a fresh start following a successful end-of-season ranking on the Challenge Tour’s ‘Road to Oman’.

Yes, Daan was also in Oman a couple of months ago. The NBO Golf Classic Grand Final was played at Al Mouj Golf in Muscat too, where Huizing pulled out all the stops to produce a creditable 9th place finish. A good end-of-year ranking on the Challenge Tour means a few nice invitations to play in some of the bigger tournaments on the full European Tour.

Huizing rounded off his gallant effort in the NBO Oman Open last week with an impressive 69, just as he had produced on the last day of the ‘Road to Oman’ final. He finished on 282, 6-under par (66, 71, 76, 69) for a share of 21st position and a welcome pay-cheque of just over 16,000 euros.

Keep up the good golf, Daan!

Wendy Hoad

PICTURED: Daan Huizing is the centre of attention during the opening day of the 2014 KLM Open. © Photography by Golfing Inspirations