Stunning Dutch victory for Joost Luiten

Thousands flock to new venue to support local hero

A sensational birdie, birdie start to his final round got Joost Luiten into the winning frame of mind on Sunday to secure his second KLM Open title at The Dutch in Spijk. The player from Rotterdam stunned the home crowds with 10 birdies at the Dutch Open’s new venue to win his fifth European Tour event with a record-equalling score of 19-under par, three-ahead of Bernd Wiesberger.

Joost couldn’t put a foot wrong on the last day. As the Champion says himself: “I was in the zone. I only had to look at the ball and it went in!”

He dominated the back nine, taking over the lead from his Tour buddy, Bernd Wiesberger. The Austrian had nudged ahead of overnight leader, Scott Hend (Australia) after a run of two birdies and an eagle within the first five holes. Wiesberger admits that he had 17-under par in his sights as the winning score. Luiten had other thoughts. He levelled with Wiesberger on 17-under and then upped his game to another level. Indeed, to another planet.

Seventeen proved a crucial number on Sunday. It was on this hole that the Austrian made bogey to fall back to 16-under. A short while later, Joost slightly pulled his approach-shot at the 17th. Yet the ball still flew out of the middle of the club, landing softly near the pin, which was perched dangerously close to the water on the left-edge, to set him up for an almost tap-in birdie, his tenth of the day.

“I was in the right place with my mind this week.”

– Joost Luiten

After starting the day at three behind, Holland’s sole player on the European Tour was looking relaxed and enjoying himself at The Dutch. He had given himself the luxury of a three-shot cushion for his stroll down the final par-5 hole flanked by thousands of adoring Dutch golf fans. He remained calm and focused, choosing to lay-up with his second shot, and just settle for par. The exclusive course in Gelderland is Luiten’s training course so he knows it like the back of his hand. It was now just a question of holding his nerve, staying in the moment and following his game plan.

A standing ovation greeted him on the green followed by another when he holed his putt to become the 2016 KLM Open Champion. The grandstands erupted. Joost’s girlfriend, Melanie Lancaster, was one of the first to congratulate him on the green along with caddie Mike Waite. His swing coach, Phil Allen and father, Nico and mother, Nel followed. Sponsors, friends and everyone around the 18th then surged forward to hug and kiss the new Champion.

The 30-year old Dutchman, who had taken a 3-week break after a frustrating period which included the Olympics Games in Rio, thought that he had not brought his A-game to his national Open. But thanks to a last-minute swing tip from his coach, Phil Allen, Holland’s number one golfer found his form in the nick of time. Joost Luiten sparkled all week, shooting rounds of 69-64-69-63 to win by three strokes and earn himself a handsome 300,000 euros.

Many, many congratulations Joost! Holland is proud of you!

Gefeliciteerd! Heel Nederland is trots op jou!

Wendy Hoad

Nice to know:

LEADING FINAL SCORES: 1. J. Luiten 265; 2. B. Wiesberger 268; 3. B. An 271; T4. A. Canizares, B. Evans, S. Hend, D. Horsey 273; T8. C. Hanson, M. Lorenzo-Vera 273; T10. T. Fleetwood, S. Jamieson, S. Khan, M. Korhonen, S. Lee, B. Stone 274.

THE CUT: 73 players made the 1-under par cut. Among the 16 players missing the cut by one stroke: D. Huizing (NL); R. Wattel (FR); O. Wilson (ENG); J. Roos (RSA).

BEST BRITS: T4. B. Evans, D. Horsey 272; T8. C. Hanson 273; T10. T. Fleetwood, S. Jamieson, S. Khan 274.

BEST DUTCH PLAYERS: 1. J. Luiten 265; T28. W. Besseling 278 ; T66. M. Lafeber 284. (Only three of the 18 Dutch players in the field made the cut.)

BEST AMATEUR: Rowin Caron. The young Dutch player opened with an impressive 5-under par 66 but after taking 77 in round two missed the cut by two. Alas, not a single amateur made the cut this year, but Caron’s final tie-89th placing means he was the best amateur in the field.

PICTURED: Bernd Wiesberger and Byeong-Hun An shower Joost Luiten with champagne in celebration of his 2016 KLM Open victory at The Dutch. BELOW: Joost after holing his putt for victory. And a sigh of relief from his swing coach Phil Allen as he congratulates Joost.