Maurits Rangkouw - Tiebreak titan at Crayestein
An exciting finish to the 2026 Dutch Open led to a three-way play-off from which Maurits Rangkouw (a keen supporter of all international events) emerged victorious. fippa.org was delighted to get these comments from Maurits concerning his success.How familiar are you with the Crayestein course?
It is a newly built course from 2025, so I only played it once in December 2025 and twice in the two days prior to the Dutch Open.
Had you played it before this year’s Dutch Open?
Yes, only once, in December 2025.
What are its particular challenges?
The greens are reachable but tricky, especially when they are as fast as they were during this championship.
It was very close between you and Jeroen de Groot right through the tournament?
Correct. After the final round, Marcel Ahuis joined the two of us at the top, so a three-way play-off was required.
Marcel Ahuis made up some ground on Sunday during the final round and has won the Dutch Open before. You must be pleased with how you coped with the pressure of a challenge from him in particular?
Marcel Ahuis is always a player to reckon with. Martijn Mengering and Jeroen de Groot are also players you can't rule out. I was very happy with how it turned out.
Tell us about the play-off?
Before the play-off, I told myself that this would be the third tournament I had won through a play-off. So I knew what to do. I had to keep my head calm. I was super focused and determined to win the tournament, especially with the experience I have in play-offs.
How pleased must you be about your play over the weekend?
I was very pleased, and I didn't expect my score to lead overnight.
Were there any particular crisis points during the round?
Only in the final round, after the 16th hole and on the 17th hole, when I had a comfortable lead of three shots. I made a bad decision by putting from off the green, trying to defend and accept an easy par, whereas normally I would have chipped it. I lost two shots there. Then, on the 18th, I lost another shot to Marcel and Jeroen. So the three of us were tied.
Your assessment of the current state of Pitch and Putt in the Netherlands?I would like to see more juvenile players and other new members supporting the sport, as well as more support from course owners by hosting tournaments outside the ones that always want to host a tournament. The sport needs to grow.
