KLM Open: Four key talking points

Thomas Pieters of Belgium fired a final round of 65 at Kennemer G&CC to win the KLM Open by a single shot from Eduardo de la Riva of Spain and England’s Lee Slattery.

Thomas Pieters, who also won the D+D REAL Czech Masters two weeks ago, made four birdies on his front nine to move into contention during the final round at Kennemer. He posted a clubhouse total of 19-under-par and waited to see if those following could match it.

Lee Slattery of England looked like doing so, he needed a par at the home hole to force a playoff. But he left himself a long way from the hole with his approach and was unable to get down in two from there. Slattery was looking for two victories in a row after claiming last week’s M2M Russian Open, but he came up just shy.

Slattery ended the week in a tie for second with Spain’s Eduardo de la Riva who carded an excellent final round of 63 to climb the leaderboard and secure a cheque for over €150,000.

Four talking points from the KLM Open

1 – It’s been an impressive few weeks from Thomas Pieters. The 23-year-old claimed his maiden European Tour victory in the Czech Republic and has now followed it up with this win. The Belgian has now earned more than €700,000 through the 2015 season and has moved to 28th place on the Race to Dubai standings. He has secured his place at the lucrative season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. The top-60 in the standings will contest that tournament.

2 – Lee Slattery is in a very different place compared to two weeks ago. The Englishman wasn’t certain of his spot on the European Tour prior to the Russian Open. Following victory in that event, he secured playing rights to the end of 2016. Now, with a second place this week, he has moved to 47th on the 2015 Race to Dubai standings and has a very realistic chance of making it to the DP World Tour Championship. He is the early leader in the 2016 Ryder Cup points list.

3 – Paul Lawrie had a roller-coaster tournament. He was co-leader after an opening round of 61. But the 1999 Open Champion dropped back with a disappointing second round of 71. He bounced back with a 63 in round three and looked set to contest the title. But he faltered again on Sunday, fading to another 71. He ended the week in a tie for 10th place.

4 – 66-year-old Tom Watson produced four excellent rounds at Kennemer. He displayed superb consistency to record scores of 69, 68, 68 and 68 to finish the week on seven-under-par. The five-time Open champion dropped just five shots through the week.

KLM Open Kennemer G&CC, Zandvoort, The Netherlands Sep 10-13 Purse: €1,800,000, par 70

1    Thomas Pieters (Bel)    68    66    62    65    261    €300,000 T2    Eduardo de la Riva (Esp) 66    66    67    63    262    €156,340 T2    Lee Slattery (Eng)    66    65    63    68    262    €156,340 4    Fabrizio Zanotti (Par)    67    66    67    63    263    €90,000 T5    Morten Orum Madsen (Den) 64 67    66    67    264    €69,660 T5    Eddie Pepperell (Eng)    67    66    67    64    264    €69,660 T7    Rafa Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 65    66    63    71    265    €46,440 T7    Magnus Carlsson (Swe)    65    66    70    64    265    €46,440 T7    Mikko Korhonen (Fin)    67    70    65    63    265    €46,440 T10    Paul Lawrie (Sco)        61    71    63    71    266    €34,560 T10    Wade Ormsby (Aus)    61    68    68    69    266    €34,560

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage

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