KLM Open

KLM Open

KLM Open
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Winner: Sergio Garcia

Making his debut at the KLM Open on its 100th staging — first played for in 1912 — Sergio Garcia earned a hard-fought victory at The International in Amsterdam. After four birdies and three bogeys going out, the 39-year-old Spaniard produced two stunning birdies at the 15th and 16th holes, the first from the rough to two feet, the second also from the rough but additionally with his feet in a bunker to five feet. Garcia won by one stroke over 18-year-old Dane Nicolai Hojgaard, whose eagle-putt at the last only narrowly missed.

In his seventh start on the European Tour, Hojgaard closed with a 68 to keep the pressure on the former Masters champion, who claimed his 16th European Tour title with rounds of 68, 67, 66 and 69 for an 18-under-par total of 270. Matt Wallace, who broke the course record with a 63 in the third round, was also in contention until a late bogey as he finished three behind in third place. Callum Shinkwin, who shared the lead with Garcia after 54 holes, was leading until a double bogey at the 12th hole. He finished fifth after a 76, one behind countryman James Morrison.

“I played well all week under pressure,” said Garcia after joining the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez in winning in the Netherlands. “It wasn’t easy, there were a couple of tough moments today, but I hung on. Today wasn’t easy, it was quite breezy and was blowing in a different direction again, but I played nicely again. A couple of mistakes here and there, but other than that I felt like I played really well.”