KLM Open - Day one digest

The worlds of golf and football converged while Ricardo Gouveia raised the prospect of a 59 on day one of the 2025 KLM Open.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday's play at The International in Amsterdam.

Red-hot Ricardo

Ricardo Gouveia had the crowds and assembled media on 59 watch when he birdied seven of his outward nine holes, starting from the tenth. A quieter back nine, interrupted by a 90-minute break due to the threat of lightning, left the Portuguese player to settle for a seven-under-par 64 but that was enough to lead by one from Connor Syme, with six players tied for third on five under. "I started off really well and just kept the momentum going," said Gouveia. "I haven't holed this amount of putts in a long time. I'm really pleased with the round, I'd say it's the best round of my life so far."

Gullit gets things started

This week's tournament director is a familiar name in his own right - footballing great Ruud Gullit. The former AC Milan, Chelsea, Feyenoord and Netherlands star, and five handicapper, gave us a glimpse of his prowess off the tee...

Gullit also revealed another cross-over between the two sports. Eugenio Chacarra's caddie, Hugo Gonzalez, is the son of former Real Madrid and Spain forward Raul - and the family resemblance is certainly clear!

Memories of 2003

Another young man carrying a famous name around The International this week is Guus Lafeber. The 17-year-old amateur is making his DP World Tour debut at the same event where his father Maarten did likewise in 1995, claimed his sole win on the Tour in 2003 and played his final event in 2021. Lafeber Jr finished day one five over par but excited the locals with three birdies, including a chip-in at the sixth and a tee-shot inside four feet at the par-three 17th.

Nicolai 100 per cent accurate

Last week's winner of the Austrian Alpine Open presented by SalzburgerLand, Nicolai von Dellingshausen, enjoyed a strong finish to bring his round back to level par. With the commentators discussing the "10 per cent rule" and wondering whether he could get this monster putt at the 15th within six or seven feet, the German found the foot of the pin and then the bottom of the cup - before adding another birdie at the last.