Play-off sees Guido Migliozzi as Champion

The Italian golfer Guido Migliozzi forced his way through an exciting play-off at The International Golf Club in Amsterdam, Holland to win the 2024 KLM Open (20-23 June).  The 27-year old professional from Venice beat Englishman Joe Dean and the Swedish Marcus Kinhult on the second extra hole after the Italian made a birdie while Dean and Kinhult made par.  Guido Migliozzi’s winning score of 11-under par earned him the Dutch Open title which is his fourth victory on the DP World Tour.

 

His win this week is the third time that an Italian has claimed the KLM Open title in its 104-year history.

 

Impressive opening rounds

 

The winner of the KLM Open was not the Italian Matteo Manessero or the Finish golfer Mikko Korhonen who both opened with a delightful 64 on day one.  Indeed, Korhonen led the tournament in Amsterdam for three of the four days.  Alas, a closing 75 saw him slip down the leaderboard for a share of 10th place with Italy’s Filippo Celli and three others including last year’s runner-up from Spain, Adrian Otaegui on a score of 7-under par.

 

So how did the Dutch players play?

 

Well, there were high hopes for Holland’s number one player Joost Luiten.  The 38-year old from Bleiswijk has won six times on the Tour including the honour of being champion at the KLM Opens of 2013 and 2016.

 

Luiten, the happy father of son Dex, who was born in December, opened with a promising 68 at The International but then could not hole the birdie putts needed to improve on his later three rounds of 70, 70 and 70.  Although it was not a victory for Luiten, he had to settle for a share of 15th spot on 6-under par with five other players including Englishman Matt Wallace.

 

Thirty year old Lars van Meijel was the next best Dutchman who finished on 2-under par to level with a host of players including the 2016 Masters winner from England, Danny Willett in a share of 29th.

 

Twenty-two year old Dutch amateur from the Eindhovense Golf Club Lars van der Vight made a good impression too.  After opening with rounds of 71, 69 and 71, however, he finished with a very disappointing final round of 76 to tie for 60th place.

 

Sadly for the KLM Open defending champion from Spain, Pablo Larrazábal,  missed the cut at The International which came at 142.

 

Wonderful start

 

Guido Migliozzi’s week got off to a wonderful start as he received the news that he was going to represent Italy in the Olympic Games in July playing alongside one of his idols Matteo Manessero.

 

“I’ve been playing great in recent weeks and felt good about my game so to have got the win is great”.

– Guido Migliozzi

 

He continued: “To be a part of the Italian team for the Olympics was one of my main goals this year. Le Golf National is a golf course that I have great memories at, having won my third DP World Tour title – the Open de France – there in 2022.”

 

Well, Guido Migliozzi, all we can say is many, many congratulations with your victory as the 2024 KLM Open Champion! 

 

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Italian Guido Migliozzi adds the KLM Open 2024 title to his collection.