Callum Shinkwin set out an early marker which could not be matched as the Englishman opened up a one shot lead following the first round of the KLM Open.
Shinkwin earned sole lead after taking advantage of ideal scoring conditions on Thursday morning and, albeit one hole, remained untouched at the top of the leaderboard ahead of a large chasing pack.
It is a special week in the Netherlands as The International hosts the 100th edition of the KLM Open, coinciding with the Dutch airline’s centenary year of business.
Here is everything you need to know from a busy opening day in Amsterdam.
Marquee group upstaged by rookie trio
The big name trio of the morning session was home favourite Joost Luiten, 2017 Masters Tournament winner Sergio Garcia and defending champion Wu Ashun. The threeball came in with a combined ten under par, with the Spaniard one ahead of his playing partners at four under. However, early starters Shinkwin, Amsterdam native Rowin Caron and Swede Per Langfors - who were co-leaders late in their rounds - came together for a 15 under total, with Shinkwin at the top of the pile at six under par.
Luiten’s round of two halves
Two time KLM Open winner Luiten had a remarkable first day at The International. Luiten, who has six European Tour titles to his name, started on the back nine alongside Garcia and Wu. The 33-year-old was three over at the turn and looked to be struggling to make the weekend in ideal scoring conditions, but six birdies on the front nine - including a terrific long putt at the ninth to roars from the Amsterdam gallery - saw the Dutchman surge into contention.
Starting his day from the 10th, the Dutchman truly had a round of 2 halves 😝@joostluiten #KLMOpen pic.twitter.com/Aa6eYWwjkr
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 12, 2019
Success at Beat The Pro
All week, there is a Beat The Pro at the 13th hole where amateurs can win a prize from event sponsor KLM. An amateur will join every group on all four days for the first time. The par three was only 116 yards on Thursday and there was success as 12-year-old Vince Komen was the only player to land his ball on the green in his group, beating French pair Adrien Saddier and Clément Sordet and Australian Brett Rumford.
12-year-old Vince Komen just beat the Pros! 🤩#KLMOpen pic.twitter.com/R5gpCxMrNj
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 12, 2019
Father and son battle it out
Staying with the Beat the Pro, there was also a heartwarming moment when home favourite Maarten Lafeber reached the 13th tee. The 2003 winner was the last of his group to tee off at the par three, where he dialled in to close range, before waiting patiently for the amateur to be announced. But to his surprise, it was his son Guus who stepped up to the challenge and landed his approach on the green. We are pretty sure his dad will buy his plane tickets if he wants them.
Langasque kisses the pin on three
Frenchman Romain Langasque has had a stellar year since regaining his European Tour for the 2019 campaign. He currently sits 20th in the Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex following five top six finishes this season, edging closer to a maiden European Tour title. And he showed his fine form in Amsterdam when finding the rough at the par five third with his second shot, only to kiss the flag with his third stroke before tapping in for a birdie.
