Third spot in Bangkok and New Delhi for Dutchman
Life for Holland’s top golfer Joost Luiten has been rather quiet for the last few months. Indeed, for the last year or more, to be honest. So much so, that I was wondering whether he still had his eye on ever representing the Netherlands in the Ryder Cup. Shortly after this thought, news came flooding in of a well-earned third place for the 37-year old Dutchman in Thailand. Not only that, he backed-up this success with another third spot the following week in India. With two winning pay cheques totalling nearly 226,000 euros, Luiten’s golf is really coming alive in 2023.
More about Thailand
The Thailand Classic held at the Amata Spring CC, Chon Buri, Bangkok (16-19 February 2023) saw Thorbjørn Oleson from Denmark seize the crown. For the 33-year old, the victory on 24-under par was his seventh on the European Tour. He shot four impressive rounds of 67-67-64-66 to take the trophy by a generous margin of 4 strokes. Holland’s Joost Luiten was also in search of his seventh European Tour title in Thailand. Four rounds breaking 70 saw Luiten secure an impressive share of third place with Alexander Knappe from Germany on 18-under.
Luiten’s final round got off to a flying start with birdie, birdie. He then hit a slump until he birdied the 11th hole. Two bogeys were then corrected with birdies at the 15th and 17th for a closing 69. He opened with 69-67-65 and on Sunday could reflect on a tournament where he could once again trust his short game. A trust which in fact earned him just over 106 thousand euros in Thailand.
Germany’s Yannik Paul was second at Amata Spring on 20-under par.
After Thailand, Joost Luiten was rated 26th in the ‘Race to Dubai’ money listings on the DP World Tour. However, a week later he shot-up an incredible eleven places further in the rankings to 15th. His rise to fame is due to another great third spot in the Hero Indian Open the following week.
Hero Indian Open
It was the DLF Golf and Country Club in New Delhi, India that hosted the Hero Indian Open from 23-26 February. And, once again, Joost Luiten was battling hard against a strong German opposition.
Germany’s Yannik Paul was leading by three on the final day. Luiten had a good chance to catch him but alas missed a birdie putt from a metre on the first hole. The Dutchman kept his focus the whole round and on the final hole, a par 5, he hit a super second shot onto the green where the pin was tucked away on the left-hook of the green. The chance of eagle here would have put pressure on the German players of Marcel Siem and Yannik Paul. Alas, Luiten missed the 4-metre putt which left him with a birdie for a final round of 68. His tally in India came to 12-under par which earned him an impressive third spot and a cheque for nearly 120 thousand euros.
Marcel Siem made a par at the 18th on Sunday giving him a score of 14-under par to take the Hero Indian Open title one stroke ahead of another fine finish by Yannik Paul on 13-under.
Luiten in search of seventh title
Luiten’s sixth European Tour triumph was in the 2018 NBO Oman Open. Since then the leading player of the Netherlands has struggled with his game, especially in 2022. However, golf is like many strange things in life – you win some and you lose some. Probably his greatest triumph to date is winning the KLM Dutch Open on two occasions in his own country.
There are no tournaments on the European Tour this week and then Joost has decided to take a week off to rest and focus on training for his next event in South Africa.
So when will see Joost in action again?
Well, that is in a couple of weeks time. The SDC Championship from 16-19 March 2023 will see Joost Luiten performing on the St. Francis Links on the Eastern Cape in South Africa. This is the first ever Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned tournament on the course. And, who knows, perhaps the golfing talent from Holland, who is planning to marry his sweetheart Melanie Jane Lancaster later this year, will secure his seventh European Tour title in South Africa. It is common knowledge that a golfer in love, or one who is about to become a father for the first time, generally sees a delightful change in his fortunes on the golf course!
So Joost, we wish you every success in South Africa!
Wendy Hoad
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Joost Luiten in action by Golfing Inspirations.