Kehidakustány, Hungary - Lars van der Vight prevails over his Dutch compatriot Mike Toorop at the Zala Springs Open 2025 and secures his first victory on the Pro Golf Tour. The 22-year-old decides the race for the title with nerves of steel with a birdie in the play-off. Dario Antonisse (also from the Netherlands) finished in third place.

In the end, the situation came to a dramatic head: it had already become clear a few holes before the end that Lars van der Vight and Mike Toorop would decide the title of the Zala Springs Open 2025 between themselves. The Dutch duo had started the final day in Hungary in equal first place and were able to pull away from the rest of the field thanks to an impressive sprint in the middle of the round.

For a long time, things were in favour of victory for the rookie van der Vight. However, Toorop, winner of the Red Sea Egyptian Classic 2024, reduced the deficit to just one stroke with a birdie on the 17th. So anything was possible once again on the spectacu-lar final hole of the course designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. Toorop showed all his class on the par 5 with the water hazard on the left-hand side of the green. Despite the noticeable headwind, he managed a birdie, while his opponent recorded a par. The result: after 67 strokes in the final round, both finished with a total score of 20 under par. A play-off had to decide the outcome.

On the first extra hole - again on the 18th - van der Vight proved that despite his lack of experience as a professional, he has the necessary class to win titles. A birdie with nerves of steel sealed the title première for the newcomer to the Pro Golf Tour, who had twice made the cut at the KLM Open on the DP World Tour as an amateur.

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Order of Merit of the 2025 Season

Van der Vight has big goals
‘It feels great,’ said the delighted tournament winner, who didn't concede a bogey in the final despite the extremely windy conditions. ‘I was already in the final group at the tour-nament in Egypt and unfortunately didn't win. After the disappointment, the victory feels all the better. It was a tough battle with Mike, we both played very good rounds and I'm happy that I had the better end on my side today.’

The top talent from Eindhoven, who only turned professional in December, cited the right attitude as the main reason for his success. ‘At the last tournament, I focussed too much on my result. That was different today. I wanted to hit good golf shots and just focussed on that.’ And keyword attitude: ‘Grinding today, green jacket tomorrow’ - this motivational slogan can be read on the website of the title debutant. Which shows: The former top amateur has ambitious goals.

It was not only the young Dutchman's title debut, but also the first time that the Zala Springs Golf Resort hosted a Pro Golf Tour tournament. The varied course is located in the immediate vicinity of Lake Balaton and the spa town of Héviz. Surrounded by beauti-ful nature, Zala Springs offers first-class playing conditions as well as stylish flats, a modern clubhouse and high-quality spa facilities.

Filip Mruzek ousted Martin Obtmeier from first place in the Order of Merit. Carl Siemens (3), van der Vight (4) and Michael Hirmer (5) complete the top 5.

From Lake Balaton, the aces of the Pro Golf Tour are now heading back to the Red Sea. Both the Little Venice Red Sea Open (8 to 10 April) and the Ain Bay Red Sea Open (13 to 15 April) are on the schedule at the popular Sokhna Golf Club.