Lowdown: The European Tour heads for Holland this week and the KLM Open at Kennemer G&CC. England's Simon Dyson will be looking to collect a fourth victory in this event.
Opened in 1927, the seaside course at Kennemer is the work of the ubiquitous designer Harry Colt. It has a links feel and wind is always a factor here. Kennemer was the venue for this tournament between 2006 and 2009 and the event returns after three years at Hilversumche.
The Dutch Open was first contested back in 1912 when Englishman George Pannell was victorious. Since then many famous professionals have claimed the title including - J.H Taylor, Bobby Locke, Roberto De Vicenzo, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie.
Last year Peter Hanson came out on top at Hilversumche. The Swede eagled the closing hole to beat Richie Ramsay and Pablo Larrazabal by two strokes. Unfortunately, owing to the recurrence of a back injury, Hanson will not be able to play at Kennemer to defend his title.
Simon Dyson has been something of a Dutch Open specialist in recent years. The Englishman has taken the title three times since 2006, twice at Kennemer. Dyson will be looking to make it four victories this week, but he'll face some stern competition from some of the European Tour's best players.
Home favourite Joost Luiten is hoping to improve on the second place finish he recorded in this event back in 2007.
"We haven't played there for a few years and I like the course," he said. "I finished second in 2007 and if I take my form to the course I know I can do well. It is a great old-fashioned golf course and it is going to be in great condition. Hopefully the weather can help us a bit, but the course is going to be nice."
Also in the field are Paul Casey, Ross Fisher and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Venue: Kennemer G&CC, Zandvoort, The Netherlands Date: Sep 12-15 Course stats: par 70, 6,626 yards Purse: €1,800,000 Winner: €300,000 Defending Champion: Peter Hanson (-14)
TV Coverage: Thursday 12 - Sky Sports Xtra from 10.30am Friday 13 - Sky Sports Xtra from 10.30am Saturday 14 - Sky Sports Xtra from 11am Sunday 15 - Sky Sports 3 from 11am
Player Watch: Joost Luiten - The home player will be looking to become the first Dutch winner of this event since Maarten Lafeber 10 years ago. He was runner-up here back in 2007 and has been on solid form of late with a tied fourth in the Wales Open his best recent result.
Alejandro Canizares - The Spaniard was fourth last week in Switzerland where he posted four rounds in the 60s. He made the cut at Kennemer every year between 2006 and 2009.
Shane Lowry - The Irishman is a good wind and links player. He was tied 10th on his last European Tour start at Gleneagles.
Key Hole: 16th. At 473 yards this long par 4 actually plays as a par 5 for the members. A fade is the ideal shot from the tee, but it will leave a long approach to a narrow green cut into the dunes.
Skills Required: Wind play. A links-style course on the Dutch coast, Kennemer tends to be buffeted by strong winds. The winner here will have good control over his ball flight and will be able to shape his shots both ways.
Where next? PGA Tour - BMW Championship preview
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