Since the first round of the KLM Open at The International Golf Club in Amsterdam, Connor Syme was determined to enter the winner’s circle. The 29-year-old recorded a score of 65 (-6) on the opening round to close the day at second on the leaderboard.
Battling heavy winds that were gusting up to 35 mph on Friday, Syme dropped to third with Joakim Lagergreen and Ricardo Gouveia sharing the lead. But in the third round, Syme carded a bogey-free round of 66 after birdieing the final two holes to finish the day on top of the leaderboard.
The Scot started his final round at 10-under, two shots ahead of Lagergreen, who missed a 30-foot eagle putt on the 18th after his incredible 234-yard approach shot.
Syme managed to maintain the two-shot difference despite the weather challenges. The real battle and drama began with Lagergreen and Francesco Laporta.
Syme birdied the 2nd hole while Lagergreen birdied the 7th, only to drop a shot after landing in the greenside bunker on the 9th. Both players then sank birdie putts on the 13th, but Syme bogeyed the 14th.
The pair then parred the 16th, but Lagergreen dropped a shot on the 17th, giving Syme a four-shot lead. Lagergreen recorded an impressive eagle on the 18th to finish 9-under, while Syme two-putted from 70 feet to claim the title with a two-shot difference.
It was a joyous moment for the Scot as his wife, Alanis, who had flown to surprise him, greeted and hugged him.
“Unbelievable. It was so, so difficult the last few days. I just felt so much better this week, I felt really ready to do it, and I’m so, so happy I managed to do it,” said Syme.
But Syme wasn’t the only one enjoying champagne. Third on the leaderboard was South African Jayden Schaper at four-under. Ewen Ferguson also celebrated his hole-in-one on the 7th hole to finish tied fourth at three-under with England’s Jack Senior and fellow Scot Richie Ramsay.
