Danny Willett arrives at The International too

Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal makes a happy return to Holland this week when he tees-off at The International, Amsterdam in defence of his KLM Open title (20-23 June).  The 41-year old player from Barcelona beat fellow-countryman Adrian Otaegui by two strokes to clinch the Dutch trophy.  And by doing so became the sixth Spanish player to win the event following in the footsteps of golfing greats such as Seve Ballesteros, José Maria Olazábal, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Sergio Garcia.

 

Good news for the Dutch Open is that Englishman Danny Willett is also flying to Schiphol Airport to play at the course which is just a stone’s throw away.  Surprisingly the 2016 Masters winner has suffered a shoulder injury which has hampered his golf the last two years.  However, an operation on his shoulder in 2023 saw the 36-year old from Sheffield fight back even making the cut in this year’s Masters.  He is looking forward to playing at The International.

 

Last year, the course at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt greeted the players from the European Tour for the Dutch Open with a delightful week of Mediterranean weather so perhaps it was not too surprising to see Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal as the winner.

 

In 2019 the 100th edition of the KLM Open was also played at The International when Sergio Garcia lifted the trophy.

 

Home players making a challenge

 

Holland’s star player Joost Luiten had high hopes of winning his third Dutch Open last year after opening with a promising 5-under par 67.  However, later the 38-year old from Bleiswijk alas slipped down the leaderboard for a final share of 21st place.

 

So who was the best placed Dutch player?  Well, that honour went to Rowin Carron who played four solid rounds for a 7-under par finish for a share of 8th place.

 

This year Dutch DP World Tour Players Joost Luiten, Darius van Driel and Daan Huizing will be playing at The International along with a gathering of top talent from the world of golf.  Let us hope that the weather will settle down so that we can enjoy all the excitement of the 104th KLM Open in glorious sunshine.  See you at The International!

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  2023 KLM Open winner from Spain Pablo Larrazábal.