The European Swing continues as the DP World Tour hosts a national open for the third consecutive week in the Netherlands. Here are your five things to know about the KLM Open.
Syme defends
Connor Syme won his maiden DP World Tour title as he saw off playing partner Joakim Lagergren by two shots 12 months ago. The 29-year-old Scot was always in control on Sunday as he closed out a breakthrough win in his 182nd appearance. "Unbelievable," he said. "It was so, so difficult the last few days. I just felt so much better this week, I felt really ready to do it, and I'm so, so happy I managed to do it." With Syme starting the day two shots ahead of Lagergren with the rest of the field a further four back, it came down to almost a match play battle between the pair. Syme birdied the first and still led by three at the turn, with Lagergren essentially handing him the title with bogeys on the 15th and 17th. Syme signed for a closing 70 to finish at 11 under, while a Lagergren eagle on the last saw him also card a 70.
A fond farewell to The International
The International will be our host for the third consecutive year this week and fourth time overall but in 2027 we will head to Kennemer Golf & Country Club in Zandvoort. The Amsterdam venue has been the perfect venue for the event and in the past two years has seen victories for Syme and Guido Migliozzi. It also hosted in 2019 when Sergio Garcia lifted the trophy and the 2017 Masters champion is not the only Major champion to have tasted KLM Open glory. First played in 1912 and an ever-present on the DP World Tour schedule since 1972 with the exception of Covid disruptions, the event has been won by the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, José María Olazábal, Payne Stewart, Darren Clarke and Martin Kaymer. As one of the great national opens, it is a jewel in the crown of the DP World Tour schedule and The International has played a big role in its storied history.
Luiten takes centre stage
Joost Luiten will bid for a hat-trick of wins at his home open when he tees it up, with the local hero set to take bumper crowds with him. Luiten has been the main attraction at his home open for more than a decade but he will not be alone in putting on a stellar show for the Dutch fans. Major Champions Francesco Molinari and Danny Willett tee it up this week as does 18-year-old rising star and U.S. Amateur champion Mason Howell. Double victors in 2026 Jayden Schaper and Casey Jarvis will be looking to enhance their Race to Dubai credentials and they are joined by six other winners from the current season and six previous winners of this event on top of Syme, Migliozzi and Luiten. Add in more home favourites such as Wil Besseling and Daan Huizing and we are in for a thrilling week.
Gullit returns in off-course role
Football great Ruud Gullit will return as tournament director this week and he is bringing some famous friends with him. Gullit, one of the greatest Dutch footballers of all time and a former Ballon d’Or winner, has been appointed tournament director for the second consecutive year. “I see myself more as a director of atmosphere than a tournament director," he said. "The KLM Open should offer top-level sport, but also energy, enjoyment and connection. Golf at the highest level, all with a smile.” Gullit will also be joined by Oranje greats Patrick Kluivert and Marco van Basten for the pro-am, with Ronald de Boer hitting the ceremonial opening tee shot on Thursday. Daan Slooter will remain responsible as sports tournament director for the international player field and the sporting execution of the event.
Ten years of Beat the Pro
Beat the Pro may now be a fairly common sight across the world of golf but it was at this event in 2016 that it launched, giving amateur players a chance to win a prize if they could get inside the professionals shots on a par three. It has produced many memorable and fun moments down the years but perhaps none more so than in 2019 when 100-year-old Susan Hosang took on Patrick Reed, Thomas Pieters and Matt Wallace. She may not have won but she produced one of the moments of the week and the season.
And 12 months ago we had our youngest ever competitor, with four-year-old Arabella Offen stealing the show.
You can't beat Beat the Pro.
