Simon Forsström’s dream of winning a maiden DP World Tour title became a reality as he triumphed at the Soudal Open.
The 34-year-old carded a two under par final round of 69 to finish one stroke ahead of fellow Swede Jens Dantorp at Rinkven International Golf Club in Antwerp.
Prior to this year, Forsström spent seven consecutive seasons attempting to graduate from the European Challenge Tour but finally earned playing privileges on the DP World Tour for 2023 after winning Qualifying School Final Stage in November. He also previously secured his lone Challenge Tour victory in Belgium in 2016, when he won the KPMG Trophy.
Forsström started the day one shot ahead and then held a three-stroke lead at the turn, but shared the lead with Dantorp with six holes to play after a double bogey on the tenth and another dropped shot on the 12th hole. But he fired back in style as he birdied the 14th, 16th and 17th to move one ahead with one to play.
Dantorp held the clubhouse lead on 16 under par after signing for a four under round of 67, but Forsström hit his approach on the 18th to within five feet and he two-putted for a 17 under par total and his first DP World Tour title.
Finishing in third, two strokes back from Dantorp was Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen on 14 under and in a share of fourth on 13 under par were Alexander Björk of Sweden, Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera and England’s Matt Southgate.
Home favourite Thomas Detry carded a two over par round of 73 as he finished in a share of seventh place.
Player Quotes
Simon Forsström: “It means everything to me to finally make it. I was happy being out here after Q School. I’m super happy with the win and I proved to myself that I can win out here.
“I’m very impressed (with how I handled myself), especially with the final stretch after my double bogey and bogey, to come back and make three birdies coming in. I’m very happy with that.
“I didn’t start good, but I made two good putts on four and five, then I felt like I was cruising. Then I hit almost a lost ball in the bush, I had to take a penalty and chip it out. From 13, I felt like I played very good.
“I looked after nine and saw I had a pretty big lead, then I had to look after 12 because I dropped three shots and I was tied for the lead. I thought just keep going, make some birdies, I still had a chance and I wasn’t out of it.”
