Simon Forsström shot a final round of two under par 69 for a 72-hole total of 17 under par 267 for a wire-to-wire victory in the $2 million Soudal Open in Belgium on the DP World Tour.
The 34 year-old has four professional wins to date including the 2016 KPMG Trophy on the Challenge Tour, but this is his first on the DP World Tour.
Forsström won the 2022 DP World Tour Qualifying School Final Stage in Tarragona, Spain, by two strokes with a 29 under-par over six rounds. He has made 11 trips to the Qualifying School in his career.
He entered this week 429 in the Official World Golf Ranking and 71st in the Race to Dubai Rankings. He had 21 birdies in his 72 holes and only three dropped shot holes all week – two in his final round.
In the final round he had a steady front nine of 2 birdies and then went double – par - bogey on holes 10 – 12. He recovered well with birdies on holes 14, 16 and 17 to win by one shot from Jens Dantorp who shot a final round of 67.
Previously won in Belgium on Challenge Tour
On completing his round Forsström said, ‘I did not feel too much pressure today and I just tried to make birdies. The golf course suits me, it is short and tight. I won on the Challenge Tour here in Belgium and the grasses here and the tree lined fairways are very similar to in Sweden. There is no time to celebrate as I fly tonight to play in the US Open Qualifying Round at Walton Heath tomorrow.’
This week’s event is the 21st of 44 on the DP World Tour International Schedule.
Home favourite Thomas Detry, playing in the final group with Forsstrom had a disappointing final round of 73 to finish in tied seventh place.
Dubai based players showed fine form in the final round: Thorbjørn Oleson shot a bogey free 66 for his best round of the week to finish in sole third. Adrian Otaegui, shot an equal best of the day round of 65 to finish in tied 15th.
In the Race to Dubai Rankings the winner Forsström moves up 54 places to 17th place.
Other movers and shakers in the season long Race to Dubai Rankings include Dantorp upto 27th and Oleson upto seventh.
Final Results (Par 71, 6,940 Yards)
1 - S. Forsström 64, 67, 67, 69 = 267 (-17)
2 - J. Dantorp 65, 69, 67, 67 = 268 (-16)
3 - T. Oleson 68, 67, 69, 66 = 270 (-14)
4 - M. Lorenzo-Vera 68, 70, 64, 69 = 271 (-13)
- M. Southgate 69, 70, 64, 68 = 271 (-13)
- A. Björk 66, 69, 69, 67 = 271 (-13)
