For a second week running Aussie Scott Hend has put himself to win for a first time on European soil.
A week ago it took a stroke of brilliance by Swede Alex Noren to deny Hend at the first extra play-off hole at the European Masters in Switzeland.
Now Hend is again one round away in capturing what would not only be his first success on the European continent but a third triumph this season.
The big-hitting Queenslander began the KLM Open third round three shots from the lead but then stormed his way to a seven-under par 64 to move one clear of his rivals at 14-under par.
Scott Hend flying in first class at the KLM Open (Photo – European Tour)
However it was not a good start for the quietly-spoken straight-talking Hend who bogey his second hole before steadily working his way from ‘cabin’ class with four birdies from his third to eighth holes on the Colin Montgomerie designed ‘The Dutch’ course.
The World No. 66 ranked Hend then muscled his way into ‘business’ class with a 14th hole birdie before capping his round with an eagle ‘3’ in sending his approach shot to just four feet at the par five 15th.
The 43-year old then moved into ‘first’ class and seat 1A when he birdied the last to now find himself leading going into the last day of a European Tour event for the second week in a row.
“It’s going to be great being in the last group again so we’ll see how it goes,” said Hend.
“The swing felt a little bit off out there today and it wasn’t really happening for me but I managed to hang in there and just stay patient and then I started hitting some really nice shots down the stretch and that got me in position to make some nice birdies.
Scott Hend on route to a birdie down the last on day three of the KLM Open. (Photo – European Tour)
“All you do is keep grinding away and not every day is perfect day in life or in golf so all you can do is the best you can.
“The thing is I am pretty determined to win every week and whether I win or not won’t change how determined I am. I just hope I can win while I am still able to.”
And those who have followed Hend’s progress this summer know that he went so close to victory in May at the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship but only to have his hopes dashed by a section of the Wentworth crowd who deliberately set out to off put Hend on day three, and while playing in the company of England’s and Masters champion, Danny Willett.
If Hend were to win he would be the first Australian to win the KLM Open since Stephen Leaney captured the 2000 title while Leaney also won the event in 1998 and just days after Stuart Appleby’s first wife, Renay had been killed in a freak accident at Waterloo Railway Station in London.
In fact, Australians have a good record of success in Holland – 1972 Jack Newton, 1979 and 1985 Graham Marsh.
The KLM Open leaders going into the final round.
Italy’s Nino Bertasio is next best to Hend and shooting a second straight 67 to be at 13-under par but letting slip the third round leading honours with a double bogey ‘7’ at the last hole. bogey of the week after three-putting the 16th. A brilliant two-putt on the last then gave him a closing birdie and sent the home crowd away happy.
However there is a four players well within striking distance at 11-under par including overwhelming home crowd favourite, Joost Luiten and with New Zealand caddy, Michael ‘Sponge’ Waite on the bag, and who caddied for fellow Kiwi Michael Campbell for some many years including calling the shots in Campbell’s 2005 U.S. Open success.
And Luiten is no stranger to KLM Open success having won the title on the Dutch coast at Kennemer in 2013.
