Dubai: Sam Horsfield shot a final round three-under par 68 to win the $2 million Soudal Open in Belgium as he claimed the third DP World Tour title of his career.
This was just his second week back on Tour after a three-month layoff due to injury.
The 25-year-old Englishman was one shot behind third round leader Ryan Fox of New Zealand going into the final round.
Running out of steam
Playing in the final group together, Fox extended his lead after eight holes to three strokes.
Fox, the winner of the 2022 Ras Al Khaimah Classic held in February at Al Hamra Golf Club, then seemed to run out of steam and bogeyed the 9th, 13th, 16th and 18th and only managed one red number on the par five 17th to finish with a level par final round and 11 under for the tournament.
Horsfield confidently played the last nine in 33 shots to take the top prize by two shots from Fox and Germany’s Yanni Paul, who had a bogey free 69.
Horsey's best display
Horsfield earns 460 points and moves up 22 spots to No 7 in the 2021–2022 DP World Tour Rankings as well as taking home a cheque for $333,330.
Horsfield will go to a projected 61st in the OWGR and next week will play in the US PGA Championship, the second golf major of the season.
Best round of the final day came from Abu Dhabi-resident David Horsey (Eng) with a six-under par 65 to finish tied 23rd.
Leading final scores (Par 71)
S. Horsfield (Eng) 65. 69. 69. 68. — 13.
R. Fox (NZ) 68. 68. 66. 71. — 11.
Y. Paul (Ger) 66. 70. 68. 69. — 11.
O. Bekker (RSA) 67. 69. 69. 69. — 10.
C. Hanna (US) 70. 68. 68. 68. — 10.
Other Notables
6th A. Meronk (Pol) 66. 70 72. 67. — 9.
T15th A. Otaegui (Spain) 71. 67. 69. 71. — 6.
T 23rd D. Horsey (Eng). 75. 66. 73. 65. — 5.
