KLM Open

The DP World Tour heads to Amsterdam this week for the KLM Open at The International, a course that provides a stern and strategic test of golf.

It’s another venue where course management and decision making are just as important as pure ball-striking ability. Accuracy off the tee is essential, while approach play demands excellent distance control.

Many of the greens are relatively shallow, and even the larger ones feature plenty of undulation, making it difficult to consistently find the right sections of these greens. As a result, bogey avoidance will be a key factor, with a strong short game likely to prove invaluable throughout the week.

I can’t see the scoring being especially low either, so patience and discipline should be rewarded. I’ve put together a solid squad for this event: two players with plenty of class who can be a little volatile, alongside two more reliable options who I expect to hit plenty of greens and give themselves chances. Good luck if you're following the selections this week.

Ginger Joe's KLM Open Tips

 

 

Dan Hillier - 20/1 (7 Places)

Dan Hillier is back in the squad, and I think this is where he is going to thrive.

His game from tee to green is really impressive when he is dialled in, and he likes to move the ball about a bit too which will help here. The fact he likes to move the ball off the tee gives him more options to keep the ball in play, and that of course leads to more chances of attacking the greens in regulation.

He is a good iron player and his distance control is fantastic, so he should be competitive here. His short game isn’t the best, I will admit, but his game from tee to green should keep him competitive here.

Short enough in the betting, but he deserves to be backed this week. This could be the course for him.

DAN HILLIER - 1.5pt each-way at 20/1 (7 places - Ladbrokes & Coral)

Jacob Skov-Olesen - 30/1 (5 Places)

Jacob Skov-Olesen continues to frustrate us as we continue to back him, but again, that debut win looks ever so close.

He is extremely volatile and you have to expect bogeys from him, but to counter that, he does have an extreme talent of being able to shoot really low numbers on tough courses. That could mean if he starts well this week, he will be hard to keep out of the top end of the leaderboard.

I must admit, the tee shots here don’t look ideally set up for him, but the approach shots that are required here will hopefully be the big factor for him, so if he keeps it in play, I think he will do well this week.

He controls his irons well, his wedges are superb, and he has been rolling the putter really well. It’s no surprise to know his last eight rounds have all been in the 60s.

JACOB SKOV-OLESEN - 1pt each-way at 30/1 (5 places - Boylesports)

Dan Bradbury - 55/1 (5 Places)

Dan Bradbury is another player that fits the tee-to-green credentials I have been looking for this week, but he also has the putting game to go with it.

I am surprised he isn’t much shorter for this event based on that, and no doubt he has the game for this course. He doesn’t make too many mistakes really either.

However, he either turns up in good form, or hardly seems to turn up at all, so perhaps that’s where we are taking a chance.

What I like here though is similar to Hillier, in the sense that if Dan Bradbury is swinging well, he will move the ball around off the tee to keep it positioned well, and then he will just take dead aim at most of the flags.

Even from a few shots down the leaderboard, Dan Bradbury has the game to pull it back and I think he will get very competitive this week. A really good price with Boylesports.

DAN BRADBURY - 1pt each-way at 55/1 (5 places - Boylesports)

Martin Couvra - 45/1 (7 Places)

Martin Couvra is a classy young player who enjoyed an excellent breakthrough season on the DP World Tour last year.

Not only did he record multiple high finishes, but he also secured his maiden DP World Tour title in his rookie campaign, producing a superb performance to win the Turkish Open in deeply impressive fashion.

That win showcased exactly what makes him such an exciting prospect. He was solid off the tee throughout the week, but it was his iron play that really separated him from the field. Time and again he gave himself opportunities, dominated with his approach play, and ultimately converted the win with authority.

What I find particularly encouraging about Couvra is what has happened since that success. Like many young players, he lost his way a little after breaking through, which is perfectly understandable. We see it all the time. Players burst onto the scene, win an event, and then take a step backwards while they continue developing their game. Freddy Schott is a good example of that this season.

However, when talented young players rediscover their best form, it often comes with a sudden run of strong performances, and I think Couvra could be approaching that point now.

Over his last four events, there have been plenty of signs that his game is heading back in the right direction. In fact, he has posted 11 rounds in the 60s over his last 14 rounds, which is a strong indicator that confidence is returning.

He is trending nicely, and with the quality of his ball-striking, he looks well equipped to hit plenty of greens this week and give himself a great chance of contending.

MARTIN COUVRA - 1pt each-way at 45/1 (7 places - Ladbrokes & Coral)