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Thomas Pieters wins KLM Dutch Open ahead of Lee Slattery

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Highlights of the fourth round of the KLM Open from Zandvoort in Holland.

Thomas Pieters continued his golden run of form as he collected his second European Tour title, just two weeks after his first, with a tense one-shot victory at the KLM Open.

Final leaderboard

KLM Open

The young Belgian carded a five-under 65 in the final round to finish on 19 under par and win by a single stroke over Eduardo de la Riva and Russian Open champion Lee Slattery, who looked set to force a play-off until missing a four-foot putt for par at the last.

The Englishman, who had not dropped a shot since the 10th hole of his third round, tapped in for a 68 to share second with De la Riva, who made a late charge up the leaderboard with five back-nine birdies in a superb 63.

Pieters, who claimed his maiden victory at the Czech Masters two weeks ago, started the final day two behind overnight leaders Slattery and Rafael Cabrera-Bello, but he moved into contention swiftly with four birdies in six holes on the outward half.

Pieters held off Lee Slattery to win his second European Tour title in as many starts
Image: Pieters held off Lee Slattery to win his second European Tour title in as many starts

The 23-year-old picked up another shot at the 10th before handing it straight back when he missed a 10-foot par putt at 11, but he rolled in his sixth birdie of the round at the 13th and parred safely in to take the clubhouse lead away from De la Riva.

And Pieters was crowned champion moments later as Slattery's valiant bid for back-to-back wins ended when his tentative putt lipped out on the left.

"I'm really, really happy. I felt like I played better in the Czech Republic, but my short game was great this week and saved me many times," said Pieters - the first player to win in consecutive European Tour starts since Rory McIlroy last year.

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Sympathy for Slattery

"I rolled in a couple of good ones early in the round and made a really good par save on the ninth which kept the round going. I had chances coming in and I felt like I needed to make a couple more. I feel bad for Lee as he played great.

Slattery looked primed to force extra holes, but he missed a four-footer for par on the final green
Image: Slattery looked primed to force extra holes, but he missed a four-footer for par on the final green

"It wasn't comfortable watching him play the last couple of holes. I was wishing I'd made one more birdie. I'm really happy overall with the week and how I played and it's nice going forward from here.

"It feels like this win was harder work than in the Czech Republic. I didn't hit the ball as well. I had a week off in between and did some hard work. There's plenty to work on, but I'm just happy that I won again so soon.

"It's special winning here, just down the road from home. It was great hearing all the Dutch fans cheering my name and getting behind me, so thanks to them. Our two countries kind of stick together. I'm really happy that my family was here again, too.

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"I have to let it sink in now. I would've been really happy just to make it to Dubai this year [for the DP World Tour Championship] but now I'd like to be competing there for the title."

Fabrizio Zanotti carded five birdies and an eagle in a flawless 63 which earned him outright fourth on 17 under, one shot ahead of Eddie Pepperell after the Englishman returned a bogey-free 64 that featured four birdies in five holes around the turn.

Paul Lawrie was just one shot off the lead overnight, but his hopes of a first win in over three years were dashed by double-bogeys at the sixth and 15th holes, as the veteran Scot closed with a disappointing 71 to finish on 14 under par.

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