Disappointment for Swede Lagergren

Scottish professional Connor Syme held his nerve at The International in Amsterdam, The Netherlands to scoop the 105th edition of the KLM Open with a score of 11-under par two shots clear of Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren.  For the 29-year old player from Drumoig, this was extra special as it was his first victory on the DP World Tour.

 

Connor Syme has played since 2020 on the Tour and has finished no less than 25 occasions in the top 10.  After three runner-up spots, it was now Syme’s time for victory in the KLM Open.  And what a triumph it was!

 

On Sunday it was eventually a match between Connor Syme on 10-under par and Joakim Lagergren on 8-under par.  Another blustry day was forecast in Amsterdam so the 74 players who made the weekend-cut had to work hard and stay focussed on their games as well as keep patient with the start times once again in three-balls from the 1st and 10th holes.

 

An eagle for Syme

 

Syme’s tournament really got going on Saturday when he shot a round of 5-under par 66 which included an eagle at the third and three birdies.  On Sunday he was so calm that he birdied the 2nd and 13th before he let a bogey creep onto his card at the 14th which was his only bogey the whole weekend on the wet and windy International course.  Now that is pretty impressive!

 

 

Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren was also on good form in Amsterdam.  He opened with rounds of 66 and 68 to take the halfway lead which he followed with a level par 71 to then share the number one spot with Connor Syme.  Concentration was difficult on day three with rolling of the ball being introduced due to the appalling weather conditions.  There was even a two hour and twenty minute delay due to oscillating balls on the green.

 

Lagergren made a bogey on the 15th hole on Sunday which meant a 3-stroke lead between him and Syme.  The Swedish golfer then made a bogey at the par-3, 17th giving the Scot a 4-shot advantage standing on the 18th tee.  Lagergren’s only hope now was to make an eagle at the par-5, 18th which was a pretty daunting task against the wind.  Not only that but Connor Syme would need to make a double-bogey for a play-off.

 

Lagergren’s impressive finish

 

Joakim Lagergren launched his second shot onto the 18th green in two giving himself the chance of making an eagle.  And, yes, the miracle happened.  The Swede holed a terrific putt from the back of the green for an eagle and a final tally of 9-under par.  Syme had placed his ball safely onto the green for four.  Could the Scot hold his nerve with his putter?  If he was to hole this putt, then he would have scored 11-under par.  Yes, Connor Syme holed the putt for par to become the 2025 KLM Open Champion by two clear shots!

 

How did the Dutch golfers fare?

 

Surprise, surprise for Dutch golf fans as the country’s star player, Joost Luiten had a frustrating few days at The International where he actually missed the 5-over par cut by two strokes.  In fact, of the 15 Dutch players only four made the cut:  Daan Huizing, Darius van Driel, Lars van Meijel and Lars van der Vight.  So who was Holland’s best player of the week?  Well, that honour went to Daan Huizing.  The 34-year old from Soest shot three opening rounds of 72, 70 and 69 and looked pretty certain to finish high on the leaderboard.  Alas a double-bogey at the par-3, 17th saw the golfer finish in a tie for 19th on level par with six other players.  Naturally, this was a big disappointment for Huizing but nevertheless an impressive victory for him.

 

 

By the way, the day one leader Ricardo Gouveia from Portugal played a super 7-under par round of 64 to take the lead from Scotland’s Richie Ramsay (66).  He played one of the best rounds of his life at The International.  He started at the 10th hole and shot seven birdies on every hole except the 13th and 16th.  He made another birdie at the third hole but then sadly lost his rhythm after a storm delay.  However, despite a closing bogey his score of 64 gave the Portugese player a superb opening round.  Gouveia actually finished the KLM Open with Huizing and the others in a tie for 19th on level par.

 

Englishman Andy Sullivan who golf fans around the world will remember fondly as the golfer who scored a hole-in-one in the KLM Open of 2014 and won himself a space trip was also in the running at the weekend.  He finished as tie 7th with a score of 2-under par.

 

Jayden Schaper from South Africa had an impressive week at The International too.  The 24-year old shot rounds of 70, 71, 70 and 69 for a score of 4-under par for a terrific third spot on his own.

 

And if you’re wondering about the defending champion from Italy, well, Guido Migliozzi was among the players who missed the cut by one stroke along with players like Dutchman Wil Besseling. Oh well, that’s golf – you win some and you lose some!

 

Many congratulations to you Connor Syme.  It was a terrific victory.  You are the 2025 KLM Open Champion!

 

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  A delighted Connor Syme, 2025 KLM Open Champion.  UNDER (l-r): Connor Syme and Joakim Lagergren. MINIS (l-r): Daan Huizing, Darius van Driel, Andy Sullivan and Richie Ramsay.