Scottish golfer lifts lid on compounding back injury after coming back a 'little bit too early'

A consistent performer on the circuit before and after landing his maiden win 12 months ago at The International in Amsterdam, Syme’s indifferent form so far this year suggested that something had been awry.

That was confirmed by the Drumoig-based player as he prepared to make his first DP World Tour title defence at the same venue where he played out of his skin from start to finish last year to record a two-shot success.

"My form at the start of the year was a little bit here nor there and I had six weeks off and I injured myself at the start of those six weeks,” revealed Syme, who spearheads a ten-strong Caledonian contingent in the Dutch event.

"So I was kind of behind the eight ball a little bit, went back to China a little bit too early and hurt myself a little bit more. So it's been quite difficult. It's the first time I've been properly injured, to be honest, in my full career.”

As a result of either missing the cut or being forced to retire in seven of his last nine events, the 30-year-old sits 164th in this season’s Race to Dubai Ranking. There’s more than half the season to go, though, and he’s enjoyed starting to feel “pain free” again.

‘So cool to be back’ as defending KLM Open champion

"So cool to be back,” said Syme of this week’s assignment as the title holder after coming out on top in testing conditions a year ago. “It's not super unusual, but obviously it's great that it's around the same venue and getting to properly reminisce on the memories from last year. I'm really excited, really excited.”

Young American ace Mason Howell makes his DP World Tour debut in Amsterdam, continuing his rapid rise after winning the US Amateur and playing in both the US Open and Masters.