Moving day sees shift in leaders at Bernardus

The KLM Open trophy could well see a Spanish name added to it this year as Pablo Larrazábal surged to the top of the leaderboard after 54 holes at Bernardus Golf, Cromvoirt in Holland.  After opening rounds of 66 and 73, the 40-year old from Barcelona shot an exquisite 5-under par 67 yesterday to take the lead by one stroke.

 

It was five years ago that he last played in the KLM Open so the Spaniard is delighted to be competing here again.  Only a few days earlier, he competed in a Major – the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill, USA.

 

Hot on his heels in Holland is another Spaniard, Adrian Otaegui.  The 30-year old shares second spot with Rasmus Hojgaard from Denmark.  On 8-under par is another tournament favourite from Poland, Adrian Meronk, who also put together a dream round at Bernardus yesterday with a 69 just like Malaysia’s Gavin Green and England’s Todd Clements who also share fourth place with Meronk.

 

Alas, Holland’s Joost Luiten, who opened with a super round of 67 on Thursday, which he followed with level par and then another level par yesterday after a bogey at the par-5 4th, slipped sadly down the leaderboard.  A third KLM Open victory for the player from Bleiswijk will have to wait another year.

 

Yet fellow-countryman Rowin Caron shot a 1-under par 71 yesterday to get to 5-under par and stay in-sight of the leaders.  The 30-year old who lives and plays golf in America is really pleased to appear in the KLM Open, especially playing such impressive golf.

 

So what happened to Campillo?

 

The leader after 36 holes was Spaniard Jorge Campillo.  He opened with rounds of 63 and 71 to top the scoreboard but then suffered two triple bogeys on Saturday at the par-3 holes of the 8th and the 17th.  Bogeys at the 15th and 16th were luckily covered by four birdies, however, a disappointing 4-over par 76 meant a rapid dip for Campillo on the leaderboard.

 

It is another gorgeous day today for golf at Bernardus Golf.  May the best player win!

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal seizes the lead in the KLM Open after 54 holes.