Mathieu Wood
Since the KLM Open became a founding event on the DP World Tour in 1972, only three players have won the title on three occasions: Simon Dyson, Bernhard Langer and the late, great Seve Ballesteros.
Joost Luiten has the chance to make that group become a quartet with victory at his national open this week, shouldering most of the weight of home expectation again.
Champion in 2013 and 2016, the Dutch star made his debut at his national open in 2005 as a then 19-year-old amateur and has since played every subsequent staging, with this year marking a landmark 20th appearance at a tournament where he has realised his dreams.
Founded in 1912, the KLM Open is celebrating its 106th edition in 2026. Few are better placed to speak of its continued importance than Luiten, who has made his name on the global stage in part due to his success at his home open.
“To help grow the game, you need events and luckily, we have had the KLM Open for over 100 years,” said Luiten, one of 14 Dutch players in the field at The International this week.
“It's just a different vibe for us. To see all the people following the groups with the Dutch boys in it, it's really, really nice to see.
“There's a bit more attention around you as a player than other events when you're not the home favourite. That's what makes it a lot of fun to play.”
As he enters a third decade of association with his home event, Luiten admits the memories of his two triumphs will forever by ones he cherishes long after his career comes to an end.
Overcoming Miguel Ángel Jiménez in a play-off, Luiten became the first home winner for a decade in 2013 at Kennemer G&CC and three years later he was roared to victory again, this time at The Dutch.
But as is so often said, players need inspiration – and for Luiten, it was watching as a 17-year-old fan when Maarten Lafeber won in 2003 that provided him the motivation to believe he could one day to it too.
“The first one was really special,” he said. “I didn't really expect maybe to win that early in my career. You always hope to win one, but it came a bit out of nowhere.
“Obviously, I was playing well in the period, but to win against Jimenez as well, who is one of the biggest icons in golf, in a play-off in front of my home crowd was really special.
“I came close before that in 2007, finishing second. To do it six years later was really nice.
“[In 2016] it felt different because it's the second time, so know what you're going through, but I also had a three-shot lead going down the last, so I could enjoy it a bit more on the 18th.
“When you’re in a play-off, and you’re really battling against somebody like in 2013… it felt completely different. It was a bit more nerve-wracking than the win in 2016 at The Dutch.
“I prefer the way I did it for the second win. Three shots clear coming down the last is a good feeling.”
One player hoping to emulate Luiten by winning on home soil is Darius van Driel, who claimed his first DP World Tour title at the Magical Kenya Open in 2024.
Alongside Luiten, Van Driel is the only other active Dutch player to have won on the DP World Tour.
But unlike Luiten, whose record on home soil is impressive, Van Driel has failed to meet those heights and made the cut for just the second time across seven starts 12 months ago.
However, the other time that he played all four rounds did result in a strong showing, finishing tied fourth in 2021.
“To win your home open is one of the top things you can do as a golfer,” said Van Driel, who celebrates his 37th birthday on Tuesday.
“It’s always nice if a local player does well. I mean, it draws out bigger crowds and to win your home open is a dream come true.
“Let’s hope I have got one in me.”
Van Driel made his debut at his home open as an amateur at Kennemer G&CC in 2008 and he is proud to still be representing Netherlands as a global golfer almost 20 years later.
“We travel to so many countries, and it is nice to have at least one tournament on home soil,” he said.
“A lot of people come to support you. It’s great fun to play in front of big crowds and lots of support and that’s what we are doing it for.”
Luiten, who turned 40 in January, is one of just six Dutch winners in the tournament’s 114-year history.
After an injury-impacted season so far, where better than to produce his best and mount a challenge for a seventh DP World Tour title than on home soil.
“I’m not playing my best golf at the moment, but the funny thing with golf is it can change around,” he said.
“In 2016, I was struggling big time in the lead up to the Dutch Open and I won so sometimes it is nice to go into an event not being the favourite and not playing great.
“Hopefully the home crowds can put me back on the right track and I can hole some putts and win the tournament for a third time,” he said.
Whatever the outcome of this week, both his and Van Driel’s overwhelming hope is that the tournament continues to endure for many more years.
