The European Tour is taking player-fan interactivity to the next level at its KLM Open in the Netherlands in September.
During the week at The Dutch in Spijk, some lucky fans will have a chance to step inside the ropes and have a closest-to-the-pin contest with a European Tour player as the tournament is unfolding. During the first and third rounds of the tournament, a player will be selected to hit a tee shot with each group on the par-3 14th hole. If the fan can put their tee shot closest to the hole, they'll win a prize.
“This will be an absolute highlight for the players and the fans," said Dutch player Joost Luiten in a release to announce the news. “I think it’s great to have something going on around the hole."
While what this might do to pace of play is a reasonable concern, Luiten doesn't believe this will be a distraction for the players as they try to compete in a late-season European Tour event.
“I don’t think players will be distracted," he said. "On the contrary, I think they will love it. In the end we all want to play for as many fans as possible. Being challenged by an amateur makes it extra spectacular.”
