Stephen Leaney of Australia returns to Hilversum to defend the TNT Dutch Open title he won in a tight finish with Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Nick Price a year ago.
Leaney prevailed with a final round of 67 for a total of 266, holding off Clarke who closed with a 63, while Westwood, who opened with a 63, tied Zimbabwean Price for third place.
New Open Champion Paul Lawrie of Scotland and one of the men he beat in that dramatic play-off at Carnoustie, Jean van de Velde, have both decided to rest their weary bodies after the exertions of Sunday evening.
However a high quality field will be in Holland, including all four of last year’s protagonists as well as Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Costantino Rocca.
The race for Ryder Cup points will continue to warm up following events at Carnoustie. Lawrie has moved behind Colin Montgomerie into second place in the qualifying list while the forward movement of Van de Velde into eighth place has forced Mark James down to ninth and Sergio Garcia to tenth.
Several European players who performed with distinction at Carnoustie are taking part on the impressive tree-lined Hilversum course.
Andrew Coltart and Patrik Sjoland are in the field along with Argentina’s Angel Cabrera, who might have been involved in the Open play-off had he managed to sink a 15 foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole.
