Joost Luiten continues Dutch Open love affair

Home hope Joost Luiten delighted the crowd as he made a brilliant start to his bid for a third victory in the Dutch Open.

Luiten, who is seeking to join the likes of European legends Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer in winning the title three times, carded eight birdies and one bogey in an opening seven-under-par 65 at Bernardus Golf.

That gave the world number 401 a one-shot lead over England’s Eddie Pepperell and Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard, with the Scottish trio of Stephen Gallacher, Ewen Ferguson and David Law part of a large group on four under.

"It could have been better but I can’t be picky," said Luiten, who lipped out for an eagle from 45 feet on the 18th. "I’ve been struggling a bit with my game, so it’s great to see this score today.

"For some reason I love playing in front of the home crowd. I got off to a fast start and I kept it going and seven under is a good day in these conditions.

"It was tough in the afternoon with the wind blowing and some tricky holes into the wind. Anything under par would have been a good score."

Luiten and Pepperell are both seeking a first DP World Tour victory since 2018, a year in which Pepperell won twice, finished sixth in the Open Championship at Carnoustie and reached a career-high 32nd in the world.

The 31-year-old also finished third in the 2019 Players Championship at Sawgrass but has struggled to reproduce that form and began the week 555th in the world after missing six cuts in eight starts this season.

Jonathan Caldwell is best of the Irish in the Netherlands, with the 37-year-old in a share of 47th position after a round of 71, while compatriot Cormac Sharvin is two shots further back.