So what exactly is a Joost Luiten, you may ask?
Joost — which is pronounced Yost, as in toast — is actually a very common Dutch name. Depending on whom one believes, it comes from a 7th century Breton saint or a 16th century Netherlander artist. In America it is commonly mispronounced like roost, to which he’ll answer without complaint. Depending on where you are in the world, you may hear his last name pronounced “LOOT-en” or “LOUT-en.”
By any pronunciation, Luiten’s name is one worth getting to know. The 28-year-old from Bleiswijk, The Netherlands, not only made the cut in his first Masters this week but he also put together one of the best rounds in Sunday’s final round. Starting in the day’s second group, Luiten put an early 67 on the board to which the leaders could aspire.
“It feels really good to shoot 67 on Sunday at the Masters,” Luiten said from under the big oak behind the Augusta National clubhouse. “I mean, that’s great for me. It’s always good to shoot 67, but here at the Masters on Sunday, on the final day, feels really good. I look at my tournament I’m very happy.”
Luiten is somewhat of a Johnny-come-lately in world golf. He made his way into the Masters field via his No. 45 work ranking. It is based primarily on his play on the European Tour, which he has played regularly only since 2011. He has three career wins, all in Europe, and has played in only nine PGA events.
But his star is rising and he’ll leave Augusta as an infinitely more confident player.
“You learn so much playing in these events, playing tough courses like this, putting yourself in the positions that you need to be in,” Luiten said. “And you take that to the next tournament that you play in and those tournaments will feel easy compared to this.”
About the Author
