England’s Simon Dyson will find golf’s two most recent Major Champions lying in wait when he defends the KLM Open on its return to Hilversumsche
Golf Club in The Netherlands this week after an absence of five years.
Martin Kaymer, Germany’s first winner of the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits last month, makes his first appearance on European soil since that historic triumph, and he is joined in a world class field by reigning Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa.
Kaymer and Oosthuizen will be joined by a host of leading European Tour players, including Robert Karlsson of Sweden, the 2008 Number One, and three past Major winners in Michael Campbell, Todd Hamilton and Paul Lawrie.
Meanwhile Dyson will be more than happy if history repeats itself in the 91st edition of the tournament. Twice in the past four years the 33 year old Yorkshireman has been involved in a play-off for the title, and on both previous occasions he prevailed at the first extra hole.
In 2006 at Kennemer Golf Club, venue for the last four KLM Opens, Dyson tied with Australian Richard Green after a closing 66 and won at the first extra hole. Then he produced an even lower finish last year to come from six behind overnight to catch Swede Peter Hedblom and Ireland’s Peter Lawrie with a stunning final round of 63.
Once again, Dyson buried his birdie putt at the first hole of sudden-death to claim his second KLM Open title and he admitted: “I won’t be too disappointed if I can complete the hat-trick of play-off wins this time around!”
He added: “I knew I had to go low to have a chance last year and fortunately I was driving the ball beautifully and kept it on the fairway all day. That was so important when trying to catch the leaders. When it came to the play-off I really fancied my chances, having just shot seven under for the last round and, sure enough, I was able to nail the birdie putt to win.”
With two wins at Kennemer under his belt, Dyson is disappointed to be leaving that links-style venue behind, but appreciates the stern test presented by the tree-lined course in Hilversum which has hosted many exciting editions of the tournament in the past.
Both of Dyson’s play-off ‘victims’ from 2009, Hedblom and Lawrie, are in the line-up again along with the other Kennemer champions in Ross Fisher (2007) and Darren Clarke (2008).
Robert-Jan Derksen, Joost Luiten and Maarten Lafeber head a list of 15 Dutch players aiming to win on home soil, while that applies quite literally to Lafeber, who won’t have the need of an unfamiliar hotel room for the week.
“There is nothing quite like being in your own bed, especially with the amount of travel we do on Tour” said Lafeber, who was the toast of his country back in 2003 at Hilverumsche when he captured the title over a course he knows particularly well.
He added: “I have very good memories of Hilversum. I played well over the course as an amateur and as a professional I’ve had three top fives and a win, so that’s not bad record. It’s a lovely golf course and it suits me well so I am looking forward to it.
“Kennemer is more of a links style golf course while Hilveresum is more of a tree-lined parkland course. I grew up with that kind of golf and it probably suits me more. They are both good courses but this is one of the best in Holland. The key is to drive the ball in play – that is the number one priority if you wish to contend.”
Reflecting on that famous victory seven years ago, Lafeber said: “It was special to win in Holland. I came off a fourth place finish in the Dunhill Links then to pull off a victory at home was extra special. Of course the local support helped, but at the same time the pressure is greater as the people expect you to play well. We have a great field this year with a Major Champions and it should be a fun week.”
Also looking to contend this week is teenage sensation Matteo Manassero.
The 17 year old Italian finished third, behind winner Miguel Angel Jiménez and compatriot Edoardo Molinari, in last week’s Omega European Masters to bolster his bid to secure a European Tour card for next season.
That performance moved Manassero from 127th in The Race to Dubai to 89th position and he plays this week on a sponsor’s invite as he looks to cement his spot in the all-important end of season top 115, and possibly break into the top 60 to qualify for the Dubai World Championship.
