BlogKLM Open Preview and Picks

KLM Open

September 8th – 11th, 2016

The Dutch

Spijk, Netherlands

Par: 72 / Yardage:

Purse: $1.96 million

with $327,000 to the winner

Defending Champion:
Thomas Pieters

by Sal Johnson

Founder, Chief Data Officer, GOLFstats

E-mail me at:
sal@golfstats.com

This week’s field includes:

The field includes 10 of the top-100 and 5 of the top-50 in the latest Official World Rankings, with the highest rank player in the field being #28 Chris Wood.  Here are the other top-100 players in the field: #37 Byeong Hun An, #39 Alex Noren, #41 Thomas Pieters, #44 Thongchai Jaidee, #61 Bernd Wiesberger, #70 Joost Luiten, #82 Scott Hend, #89 Marcus Fraser and #95 Brandon Stone.

Last year the tournament had 15 top-100 players.

(Last week’s rankings was used)

The field includes 6 of the Top 25 on this year’s Race to Dubai money list.  Those players include #7 Chris Wood, #8 Alex Noren, #13 Thomas Pieters, #16 Thongchai Jaidee, #17 Scott Hend and #18 Joost Luiten,.

The field includes 11 past champions: Thomas Pieters (2015), Joost Luiten (2013), Peter Hanson (2012), Simon Dyson (2011, ’09 & ’06),  Ross Fisher (2007) and Maarten Lafeber (2003).

A perfect way for fantasy golfers to check on the past performance of all the players in the Omega European Masters field is our performance chart listed by average finish. One last way to check who is the best is through a special formula worked out in Golfstats that gives us the best average performances at the Omega European Masters  in the last five years or check out our sortable 8-year glance at the Omega European Masters.

A good cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmakers in England.

Another cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmaker in Las Vegas.

http://golfodds.com/weekly_odds.html

**NOTE**

One thing to look for is our new GOLFstats IQ.  For those that play in fantasy golf it’s a perfect way to help you pick those players in Draft Kings and Victiv games.  You can customize the list of those in the tournaments, to look back a couple or many years of tournament stats and you can go back a couple or ten weeks prior to the tournament.  On top of that, all the stats are fully sortable to help you pick your six players, we even give you their value for the week to help you chose.

That’s GOLFstats IQ, give it a try and tell us what you think of it

24/7 GOLF is no more.  We have retired the name and the app for a new and better app for golf.  So check out

GOLF IQ

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with over 2.1 million records updated daily and available for your Iphone or Ipad.

We have improved the app to not only give you Golf History, results and records but GOLF IQ provides weekly tournament previews, Key Stats and and picks for Fantasy Golf!

So if you own a Iphone or a Ipad we have developed a perfect app called GOLF IQ.

 

Time to look at our who’s hot and who isn’t:

Who’s Hot in the field for the KLM Open

Player Omega Euro Masters Made in Denmark Czech Masters Olympic Golf Paul Lawrie Matchplay PGA Champ. Canadian Open British Open Scottish Open French Open BMW Intern. U.S. Open
Thomas Pieters
(317 pts)
DNP Win
(132)
2
(100)
4
(53.33)
DNP 86
(0)
DNP T30
(13.33)
T29
(7)
T16
(11.33)
DNP DNP
Alex Noren
(256.67 pts)
Win
(132)
DNP DNP DNP 2
(66.67)
T49
(1.33)
DNP T46
(2.67)
Win
(44)
8
(16.67)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
David Howell
(136 pts)
T29
(21)
DNP T3
(90)
DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP T22
(18.67)
T45
(1.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Renato Paratore
(125.33 pts)
T7
(55)
T18
(32)
T27
(23)
DNP T17
(22)
DNP DNP DNP T57
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Richard Bland
(123 pts)
T5
(70)
DNP T27
(23)
DNP T17
(22)
DNP DNP DNP T21
(9.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
T45
(1.67)
DNP
Anthony Wall
(117 pts)
T18
(32)
DNP DNP DNP Win
(88)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
T39
(3.67)
T53
(0)
T59
(0)
DNP
Scott Hend
(116.33 pts)
2
(100)
DNP DNP T39
(7.33)
DNP T42
(10.67)
DNP T72
(0)
T45
(1.67)
T56
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Ryan Evans
(112.67 pts)
DNP T24
(26)
T3
(90)
DNP DNP DNP DNP 58
(0)
T54
(0)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Thongchai Jaidee
(107.67 pts)
T29
(21)
DNP DNP T15
(23.33)
DNP T73
(0)
DNP T22
(18.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
Win
(44)
T38
(4)
DNP
Mikko Ilonen
(100 pts)
T12
(38)
DNP DNP T21
(19.33)
T17
(22)
DNP DNP DNP T13
(12.33)
T25
(8.33)
69
(0)
DNP
Graeme Storm
(99.33 pts)
T36
(14)
71
(0)
T7
(55)
DNP T17
(22)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T9
(15)
DNP
Robert Karlsson
(94 pts)
DNP T15
(35)
T7
(55)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T62
(0)
T28
(7.33)
DNP
Oliver Fisher
(80.33 pts)
T12
(38)
CUT
(-10)
T68
(0)
DNP 4
(53.33)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T33
(5.67)
DNP
Adrian Otaegui
(79 pts)
T58
(0)
T3
(90)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T33
(5.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Pablo Larrazabal
(78 pts)
T7
(55)
DNP DNP DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP T67
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
T9
(15)
DNP
Raphael Jacquelin
(76.33 pts)
T12
(38)
DNP DNP DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP T39
(3.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
4
(26.67)
DNP
Daniel Brooks
(76 pts)
35
(15)
T18
(32)
T62
(0)
DNP T9
(30)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T33
(5.67)
DNP
Fabrizio Zanotti
(71.67 pts)
T24
(26)
DNP DNP T15
(23.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T34
(5.33)
T33
(5.67)
T16
(11.33)
DNP
Alejandro Canizares
(71 pts)
T24
(26)
DNP DNP DNP T5
(46.67)
DNP DNP DNP T45
(1.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
T63
(0)
DNP
Joachim B. Hansen
(65 pts)
T18
(32)
CUT
(-10)
T11
(39)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T45
(1.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
T33
(5.67)
DNP
Nicolas Colsaerts
(64.67 pts)
T24
(26)
DNP DNP T30
(13.33)
DNP CUT
(-13.33)
DNP T46
(2.67)
T3
(30)
T22
(9.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Joakim Lagergren
(64.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
5
(70)
DNP DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP T67
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Richie Ramsay
(64 pts)
T58
(0)
T26
(24)
DNP DNP T9
(30)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
T6
(20)
CUT
(-3.33)
T56
(0)
DNP
Marcus Fraser
(63.67 pts)
T36
(14)
DNP DNP T5
(46.67)
DNP T73
(0)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP T21
(9.67)
DNP
Paul Dunne
(63 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T10
(40)
T16
(34)
DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T13
(12.33)
DNP

How Player Rankings are Computed

Who’s Not Hot in the field for the KLM Open

Player Omega Euro Masters Made in Denmark Czech Masters Olympic Golf Paul Lawrie Matchplay PGA Champ. Canadian Open British Open Scottish Open French Open BMW Intern. U.S. Open
Bjorn Akesson
(-40 pts)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Jens Fahrbring
(-40 pts)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Rhys Davies
(-40 pts)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Eddie Pepperell
(-31.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T54
(0)
T45
(1.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Simon Dyson
(-30 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T61
(0)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Jin Jeong
(-28.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Borja Virto Astudillo
(-26.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T65
(0)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
71
(0)
DNP
Jamie Mcleary
(-26.67 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T74
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
S.S.P. Chawrasia
(-25.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
DNP T50
(0.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T50
(0.33)
DNP
Thomas Linard
(-24 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T44
(6)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP

How Player Rankings are Computed

The Buzz:

Has to be a big disappointment that the field only has two Ryder Cup player, Thomas Pieters and Chris Wood.  Now three European Ryder Cup players, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose are playing at the BMW Championship, Henrik Stenson is resting his leg but that still leaves eight others that could of teed up here and didn’t.

One person in the field is Simon Dyson, who has won the title three times.  Dyson’s KLM win in 2011 was his last, he has played well in this event since finishing T-3rd in 2013 and 2nd in 2014 but they were at Kennemer which he plays well on.  This year it’s a new course which gives him no advantage.  In 2016 Dyson is struggling, his best finish was T37th at Joburg Open six months ago  Life hasn’t been great for Dyson, first was the suspense and then hurting his wrist in March.  Since hurting it he has played twice and withdrawn both times, the last time at the Irish Open.

A number of Dutch players are in the field, but the one with the best shot is 2013 winner Joost Luiten.  He came close to winning this title in 2007 at Kennemer when he finished 2nd to Ross Fisher, he also finished 6th in 2011 and T-5th in 2014.  Despite not winning since the 2014 Wales Open he has numerous top-10s including his best, 2nd at the Open de Espana and T-2nd a week later at the Shenzhen International.

Two people in perfect form right now is defending champion Thomas Pieters, who won two weeks ago in Denmark and last week’s winner Alex Noren, who was 2nd at the Paul Lawrie Match Play.

What about The Dutch:

The course is located in Spijk, which is about 40 miles south of Amsterdam.  The course is an inland links designed by Colin Montgomerie and opened in 2011.  The course was in the running to hold the 2018 Ryder Cup.  The course was built on flat, uninspiring land that was 20 feet below sea level.  A new technology was used on the property that had a reputation for sinking due to poor drainage.  A light foundation of air-filled concrete was put in first, followed by the soil.  The course is very private and high end and was built with holding this tournament.

The course will play to a par of 71 and just under 7,000 yards.  Lot’s of challenges, as water comes in play on 11 holes.  So there is a lot of risk and reward oportunities.  All four par 5s can be reached in 2, with three of them having water to contend with.  The fairways are rolling so players should expect lot’s of bounce like they are playing a links course.

Here are some of the secrets of what it takes to play well at the KLM Open:

Key stat for the winner:

Look for the player that can control his game in windy conditions, because it’s suppose to get windy this week.  The weather has been great the last week or so and other than Saturday the weather will be good.  But look for wind and rain to bother the players and raise the scores.

So look for a player that will be able to drive it in the fairway and be able to bump and run it on the green.

Here are some more key stats to look to for this week:

  • So what does Simon Dyson, Darren Clarke and Ross Fisher have in common?  They have won five of six KLM’s between 2006 and 2011 but it will be a struggle just to make the cut.
  • One thing that will be hard is that there is no real advantage to anyone this year.  With the course being new, anything and anybody could win so expect a first time winner this week.
  • The players that do well are one’s that hit is long and will be able to make lot’s of birdies, specially on the four par 5s at the Dutch.
  • Including this week there are three events before the Ryder Cup and 8 events left before the three tournament playoff series so this will be a perfect week for many to pick up more race to Dubai points.

Who to watch for at the KLM Open

Best Bets:

Thomas Pieters

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
Win T22 T30

Playing the best of anyone on the European Tour, he won this event by a shot last year.

Alex Noren

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
CUT T10 T12 T3

Second best player right now, he may be in beter shape because he has a nice record at the KLM but that will be forgetten because those good starts were on a different golf course.

Best of the rest:

David Howell

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T12 T41 T41 CUT CUT T64 CUT T26 T18

Good guy this week to take a bit of a risk on. Has been inconsistence, but he has thrown in a T-3rd at the Czech Masters so you know he can get himself in contention.

Joost Luiten

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T23 T5 Win CUT T6 T57 CUT CUT 2 CUT CUT

Past champion, but playing on a new course really doesn’t mean much. Still hasn’t played bad in 2016.

Alejandro Canizares

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T12 T67 T37 CUT T34 T35 T45 T23 T7

Was rolling along in Switzerland until the final nine derailed him. Look for him to play better this week.

Solid contenders

Richard Bland

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T30 T19 T41 T17 T34 T42 CUT CUT T61 T40

Hard to believe he hasn’t won on tour, won’t win this week but could come close.

Mikko Ilonen

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T18 T11 T46 CUT CUT CUT CUT

Good guy in this event, looking to snap some really bad play.

Ross Fisher

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
CUT CUT T3 CUT T6 T11 T20 Win T47 T52

Has played good of late.

Maximilian Kieffer

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T12 T22 CUT

Guy we don’t here much these days from, but he can play some good golf.

Long shots that could come through:

Pablo Larrazabal

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T5 T9 T2 CUT T34 CUT

Was T-7th last week in Switzerland, he can really play some great golf.

David Drysdale

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T57 CUT T30 T43 T56 CUT T47 CUT T65 13 CUT CUT

Another of these old-timers that he look forward to mssing

Renato Paratore

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
CUT

Worth a bob or two in a bet. Has played well over the summer, T-7th last week in Switzerland

Comments

  1. Matt Fitz not listed on DK

  2. Randy thanks, I must of screwed up when doing the picks thinking he was playing, but he wasn’t on the performance chart so my mistake. Guess I just wanted to pick him this week.

  3. Thoughts on Ben An?

  4. Never been a Big Ben An fan.
    Too streaky and he isn’t streaking right now

  5. Thanks Sal

    Just a point – Chris Wood is in the field I believe (also a Ryder Cup player)

  6. Matt, Thanks on the heads up on Chris Wood, yes there are two Ryder Cup players in the field, Woods and Pieters.

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