European Tour preview: KLM Open TV times and betting tips
With the BMW Championship fading in the rear-view mirror, and the Ryder Cup just around the corner, there is just enough time for us to head over to the KLM Open and squeeze in a mainstay event on the European Tour. As those involved gear up to represent their teams at the Ryder Cup next week, the field is less star-studded than at HQ, but I have still managed to pick out three players I fancy to challenge. But first…
KLM Open details
Venue: Bernardus Golf Club, Netherlands
Date: September 16-19 , 2021
Course stats: Par 72; 7,425 yards
Course summary: Despite there being little information about this first time host venue, early indications suggest a ‘linksy’ feel. As with previous editions of this event, players can expect generous fairways and immaculate putting surfaces – with low scores expected in all four rounds.
Purse: €1m
Defending champion: Sergio Garcia (-18)
KLM Open TV times
Thursday: Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm
Friday: Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf from 12pm
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf from 12pm
KLM Open betting tips
Bazza’s Banker: Joost Luiten 20/1 with Bet365
As one of the most famous Dutch golfers in recent memory, Luiten will relish the opportunity to win a third KLM Open in front of home crowds. As winner in 2013 and 2016, this event makes up a third of his six European Tour wins, and when you consider he arrives here off the back of two top-20 finishes in his last three events he has a great chance.
Luiten is an incredible ball striker on his day, ranking 20th for Driving Accuracy and 1st for Greens-in-regulation this season. A 10th place finish in this event when last played in 2019, albeit on a different course, is all the convincing I need that this a good price for an event specialist like Luiten.
The each-way bet: Joakim Lagergren @ 50/1 with Bet365
After disappearing from view for a while on the European Tour due to some quite horrendous form, Lagergren appears to be moving back in the right direction. Three solid rounds at the BMW Championship last week caught my eye, and with a T17 finish in the Czech Republic a few weeks ago I am ready to take a gamble on the Swede.
Despite being played on different courses, Lagergren has finished in the top-10 in two of his last three attempts at this event. A T20 finish in 2016 makes it three out of four finishes in the top-20, so something about Dutch golf seems to suit him.
Lagergren is also a magnificent putter, ranking 2nd on tour for SG: Putting this season, and with other areas of his game improving recently he could be a very shrewd each-way bet at a big price.
The outsider: Darius van Driel @ 90/1 with Bet365
My extra-value pick this week is another Dutchman, and this time we are getting a huge price for a player that is sure to be very popular with the fans. Van Driel is the sort of player who regularly chips in with a top-10 finish, with four this season already, and now with the opportunity to plan on home soil he will be ultra-motivated to go well.
Van Driel was 7th in a similar strength field just five starts ago, at the ISPS Handa World Invitational, and has some impressive stats for a player of his price. The Dutchman currently ranks 19th for Driving Accuracy and 15th for Scrambling on tour this season, while a 67% GIR average is also not to be sniffed at.
Realistically it might be a push for him to go an win this event, but he certainly offers some value as an each-way selection.
For more prices visit Bet365.
