Pieters clinches KLM Open
Thomas Pieters edged Lee Slattery to win the KLM Open by a single stroke in the Netherlands on Sunday.
The Belgian's final round, a five under 65, was enough to edge last week's M2M Russian Open winner Slattery by one stroke at Kennemer Golf and Country Club in Zandvoort.
Pieters would have just one blemish on his card, a bogey on the par four eleventh, but he imprssed with six birdies in his round.
Slattery and Pieters spent most of the afternoon trading blows on the greens and after Pieters rolled in a par on the final hole to leave him on 19 under for the event, it was up to the Englishman to match him to secure a playoff.
However, Slattery's second on the 18th was a slight miscue, leading to a 50 foot putt for a birdie and the win. While he judged the pace well, he would miss a five footer for par, handing victory to Pieters.
"I"m a bit surprised," quipped the 23-year-old – who picks up his second win on the European Tour – after the victory.
"Credit to Lee, who played well. I'm really happy with this one, it's even better than this one. My next goal is the third one. I was confident. I teed it up to win and I did it. Next time I'll do the same. I thought a really low one was needed. Missing that one for birdie on the first, I was really nervous. Then I got lucky on the third and kicked on from there.
"It's special winning here, just down the road from home. It was great hearing all the Dutch fans cheering my name and getting behind me, so thanks to them. Our two countries kind of stick together. I'm really happy that my family was here again, too.
"I have to let it sink in now. I would've been really happy just to make it to Dubai this year (for the DP World Tour Championship) but now I’d like to be competing there for the title."
Slattery would end up tied for second place with Spain's Eduardo de la Riva, while Fabrizio Zanotti would finish alone in fourth.
Latest
-
NewsMatt Wallace out to show Padraig Harrington his desire to make Ryder Cup team
Wallace was overlooked for a wild card in 2018 despite winning for the third time in 15 starts.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa to reassess his goals after winning The Open at first attempt
The 24-year-old American has already won two majors.
-
NewsThe Open day four: Halfway to a career grand slam two years after turning pro
Collin Morikawa has added the Open to the US PGA, both of them won on tournament debut.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa eager to savour taste of success after debut Open triumph
The American became only the second person after Tiger Woods to win the Open and US PGA before the age of 25.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa admits magnitude of historic Open victory is ‘hard to take in’
The 24-year-old is the first player to win two different majors at their first attempt.
-
NewsThe Open day four: Collin Morikawa holds off the challenge of Jordan Spieth
The American held his nerve to create history in the 149th Open at a sun-drenched Royal St George’s.
-
NewsJordan Spieth rues a couple of ‘dumb mistakes’ which cost him a shot at title
The 2017 Open champion finished runner-up to Collin Morikawa.
-
News5 things you may not know about Open winner Collin Morikawa
The American came close to equalling one of Tiger Woods’ records.
-
NewsAmerican Collin Morikawa seals thrilling two-shot victory on Open debut
The 2020 US PGA champion held his nerve superbly on the closing stretch to become the first player to win two different majors at their first attempt.