Joost Luiten aims to break Lyoness curse

Joost Luiten is preparing for the defence of his Lyoness Open title this week, but the Dutchman has a tough job on his hands as no man has ever won back-to-back at the tournament.

Since 1990 players such as Bernhard Langer, Paul McGinley and Rafa Cabera-Bello have all tried and failed to defend the Austrian event, but Luiten is quietly confident.

“I actually didn’t feel like I played my best golf in Spain and at Wentworth, but I finished fourth and 12th so I scored really well,” said Luiten.

“Overall I’ve got to be happy with my form this season, so hopefully that can continue here this week.

“I’ll certainly be giving it my best shot.”

“Once I get on the course I’ll forget all about the fact that I won here last year, and just treat the tournament like any other week. It’s obviously great that I have a good record here.

“It’s very difficult to win any tournament on the European Tour, let alone the same one two years running. But I’ll certainly be giving it my best shot.”

On the European Tour Joost Luiten’s name has appeared near the top of the leaderboard more than most. He has made the top-20 four times in his last five events on the tour and heads to Austria as a strong contender.

If Luiten wins he will also become the first Dutchman to win the same event twice in a row, but more importantly it will secure Joost Luiten valuable Ryder Cup points.

Joost Luiten Ryder Cup chances

The race for the top-four Ryder Cup European qualification is extremely tight, with a few players bunched close around the fourth spot, with more aiming for a captian’s pick.

Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher certainly falls into both these categories, and Joost Luiten posses a real threat to Gallacher’s hopes of inclusion.

Gallacher has chosen not to play this week in order to ready himself for the Us Open at Pinehurst. If Joost Luiten’s name appears on the Lyoness Open trophy again the dutchman will further increase his lead over Gallacher in the standings.