Guido Migliozzi believes the defence of his KLM Open title will serve as good preparation ahead of competing at the U.S. Open next week.
The Italian returns to The International just shy of 12 months on from claiming his fourth DP World Tour title in a play-off that also featured Joe Dean and Marcus Kinhult.
Alongside those fond memories, he is buoyed further by having qualified for his first stateside-based Major Championship since the 2022 U.S. Open through Final Qualifying at Walton Heath last month.
With a trip to Oakmont Country Club – arguably the toughest course in the United States – to come, Migliozzi is excited to generate more momentum in the Dutch capital.
“It’s important. This course is a great test for tournaments like that," said the 28-year-old, who forms part of a strong field competing for a record prize fund of €2,750,000, the highest purse in the tournament’s history and the most lucrative in Dutch sport.
READ MORE
• KLM Open: Five things to know
"Here, at this course, every shot is important, from tee shots to second shots, because there is long rough to the sides [so] it is not easy to reach the fairway and then from there to hit the right sector of the green is not easy.
"With this kind of wind, it’s a great test for the U.S. Open."
As Migliozzi alludes to, conditions are set to play differently to last year resulting in players needing to be flexible with their club selection.
And as part of the tournament's support of Amsterdam's 750th anniversary, the near 7,000-yard par 71 will see the combined yardage of the par threes during each round be 750 metres.
"The wind direction looks to be the opposite," he said.
"Even if they are the same, some holes [feel] brand new.
"Before we were hitting driver and three wood, now we are hitting three wood and seven iron for example. It is playing a bit different but I like these conditions.
"It's a great place, lovely course. Even if it's playing a bit different from last year, it's always great to come back. Great feelings and good memories.
“Last year I had to give everything to get into the play-off and have a chance.
"So, I birdied 16 and then 18 to get into the play-off. And then after that everything is a coin flip.
"You try to not miss any shots in the play-off and I played very solidly those two holes to win the tournament."
