Luiten in crisis na 'amateuristische' ronde op KLM Open
Amsterdam, zaterdag, 6 juni 2026.
Joost Luiten worstelt met woede en twijfel na een zware derde ronde op het KLM Open. De drievoudig winnaar van het toernooi zakte naar de gedeelde 67e plaats na een 75-slagen ronde. Twee dure fouten op de holes 15 en 16 leidden tot een dubbele bogey. Luiten noemde de beslissingen ‘amateuristisch’. Hij richtte zijn frustratie ook op caddie Alan Burns. Na afloop liet hij weten serieus te overwegen hem te ontslaan. Dit seizoen herhaalt zich de patroon te vaak, aldus Luiten. De druk op de samenwerking is enorm gestegen. Of Burns zondag nog aan de tas hangt, is onzeker.
frustration boils over after costly mistakes
Joost Luiten’s frustration erupted following a third-round score of 75, equivalent to 4 over par, at the KLM Open held at The International in Badhoevedorp [nu.nl]. Two critical errors on holes 15 and 16 significantly damaged his standing. On hole 16, a wayward shot led to a double bogey, which Luiten described as “zo amateuristisch” [golf.nl]. He openly questioned the decision-making process with his caddie Alan Burns, indicating the partnership is under severe strain [nu.nl]. The round dropped him to a tie for 67th place with a total of 216, 3 over par [nu.nl].
caddie relationship hangs in the balance
Immediately after his round, Luiten suggested firing his South African caddie Alan Burns, stating bluntly, “Caddie eruit gooien” [nu.nl]. While acknowledging emotional reactions, he emphasized recurring issues affecting his play [golf.nl]. “This happens too often,” Luiten said, pointing to repeated high scores stemming from preventable mistakes [golf.nl]. Although unsure if Burns would remain for Sunday’s final round, Luiten noted they would discuss it, adding, “I can’t sack myself, but I can sack him” [nu.nl]. The future of their collaboration, active since March 2025, remains uncertain [golf.nl].
leaders pull ahead amid netherlands’ fading hopes
While Luiten struggled, leaders Eugenio López-Chacarra and Sebastian Söderberg maintained strong performances, sharing the lead with totals of 203 each [europeantour.com]. Luiten’s score represents a 6.404% increase over the leading total, highlighting the gap between contenders and local favorites [europeantour.com]. Among Dutch players, Lars van der Vight stands highest at 19th position, carrying national expectations [nu.nl]. As the tournament concludes on Sunday, attention shifts to whether Luiten can reconcile with his caddie and salvage his weekend, or if the pressure leads to a permanent split [golf.nl].