Netherlands Rides Luiten's Hot Streak

To World Amateur Team Title

Stellenbosch, South Africa (29 October) – Joost Luiten of the Netherlands played his last five holes in six-under-par and finished with a 5-under-par 67 as the Dutch captured the Eisenhower Trophy as the winners of the 2006 World Amateur Team Championship.

With Canada and the Netherlands battling for the top position, 20-year-old Luiten began his run with a birdie on the par-5 14th hole at De Zalze Golf Club. He then holed a sand wedge from 93 yards on the par-4 15th for an eagle and closed with birdies on the 16th, 17th and 18th. 

With Luiten’s 67 and a 2-under-par 70 from individual low scorer Wil Besseling, the Netherlands won by two strokes over second-place Canada and by three over third-place USA at 22-under-par 554. Their winning total is the lowest since the two counting scores format was instituted in 2002.

"His nickname is Pyromaniac and he went on fire,” said Dutch coach Chris van der Velde of Luiten.

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Netherlands Takes Lead Over Canada, USA, Wales

Stellenbosch, South Africa (28 October) – Opportunistic Netherlands, propelled by a 7-under-par 65 from Will Besseling and a 2-under-par 70 from Joost Luiten, slipped into first-place and holds a two-stroke lead over two-day leader Canada, USA and fast-climbing Wales after the third round of the 2006 World Amateur Team Championship.

"We tried to move on moving day,” Dutch captain Gordon Machielson said. “We waited and stayed patient and played solid.”

The Dutch finished at 15-under-par 417 for their rounds. Their first-place position did not surprise the confident team.

"It’s great but it’s probably not expected,” said Tim Sluiter, of his team’s lead. “But, we are here to get the trophy.” Sluiter shot a non-counting 75.

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Canada Maintains Lead Despite Major Moves

From USA, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden

Stellenbosch, South Africa (27 October) – With a 5-under-par team total of 139, Canada responded to the major moves of defending champion USA, Mexico, the Netherlands and Sweden to maintain its place atop the leader board by one stroke after the second round of the 2006 World Amateur Golf Championship.

"It was hard not to notice the board,” Canada captain Doug Roxburgh said. “The golf course was perfect, the weather was perfect and the quality of this tournament means the scores are going to be low. We knew we needed some more good rounds.”

Richard Scott shot 4-under-par 68 and Andrew Parr added a 1-under 71 for a two-round total of 278 to thwart a push by the 13-time champion team from USA. The defending champions rode a 66 from Chris Kirk and a 70 from Trip Kuehne to move into sole second place at 279.

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Day 2 Sidebar: Swedes Shoot 12-Under, Tie Record

Stellenbosch, South Africa (27 October) – Swedish coach Magnus Grankvist couldn’t have placed his tongue more firmly in his cheek on this second day of the 2006 World Amateur Team Championship.

With a quick look at his players before he spoke, he said: “They played slightly better.”

Slightly better, however, must be quantified because the team played in totally different conditions on the two days of the championship. It was windy on day 1 and much calmer on day 2. To wit: Sweden, which shot 6-over-par 150 on the first day, improved by 18 strokes in round two.

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Canada Gains Two-Stroke Lead After First Round

Stellenbosch, South Africa (26 October) – Canada, with sub-par scores from Richard Scott and Andrew Parr, built a two-stroke lead on the windy first day of the 2006 World Amateur Team Championships.

On a 5-under-par 139 team score from Scott (3-under 69) and Parr (2-under 70), Canada moved into the lead over Netherlands (141) and France (142).

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2006 Eisenhower Trophy Storylines

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2006 World Amateur Team Championship Fact Sheet

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