emirates7 - Kristoffer Reitan claimed his first DP World Tour victory at the Soudal Open by maintaining his composure in a play-off after shooting a remarkable course-record 62.
Reitan began the final round nine shots behind the overnight leader, Ewen Ferguson, teeing off nearly three hours before the last group. His record-breaking round at Rinkven International GC was enough to tie with Scotland’s Ferguson and Dutchman Darius van Driel, forcing a play-off.
All three players made par on their first attempt at the 18th hole in the play-off. However, when they returned to the 18th for a second time, each hit approaches much closer. After Ferguson and Van Driel missed their chances, Reitan sunk a 15-foot putt to seal a remarkable comeback, having started the day in 23rd place.
Reitan’s round included a birdie on the first hole but a dropped shot on the third, which gave little indication of what was to come. He then racked up nine more birdies to finish tied with Ferguson at 13 under par.
Throughout the day in Antwerp, other contenders gradually fell behind. Ferguson, who briefly lost the lead twice after dropping shots early on, responded quickly by birdieing the next hole each time to regain a share of the lead. He birdied the eighth from 12 feet to move to 14 under but dropped a shot on the following hole after landing in a bunker, setting up a tense back nine battle to catch Reitan’s clubhouse score.
The tie was broken when Ferguson found a bunker off the tee at the 16th but executed an impressive shot from 42 yards to get up and down for par. Despite this, Ferguson couldn’t maintain his advantage. After safely parring the 17th, he overhit his approach at the 18th, which led to a missed opportunity to save par.
Van Driel’s entry into the play-off was nearly as surprising as Reitan’s. After a steady start with 11 straight pars, the Dutchman finally made a birdie on the 13th and closed with a dramatic sequence of three birdies, including a 25-foot putt on the last.
China’s Haotong Li, South African Thriston Lawrence, American Troy Merritt, and England’s John Parry and Jordan Smith shared fourth place at ten under.
Reitan began the final round nine shots behind the overnight leader, Ewen Ferguson, teeing off nearly three hours before the last group. His record-breaking round at Rinkven International GC was enough to tie with Scotland’s Ferguson and Dutchman Darius van Driel, forcing a play-off.
All three players made par on their first attempt at the 18th hole in the play-off. However, when they returned to the 18th for a second time, each hit approaches much closer. After Ferguson and Van Driel missed their chances, Reitan sunk a 15-foot putt to seal a remarkable comeback, having started the day in 23rd place.
Reitan’s round included a birdie on the first hole but a dropped shot on the third, which gave little indication of what was to come. He then racked up nine more birdies to finish tied with Ferguson at 13 under par.
Throughout the day in Antwerp, other contenders gradually fell behind. Ferguson, who briefly lost the lead twice after dropping shots early on, responded quickly by birdieing the next hole each time to regain a share of the lead. He birdied the eighth from 12 feet to move to 14 under but dropped a shot on the following hole after landing in a bunker, setting up a tense back nine battle to catch Reitan’s clubhouse score.
The tie was broken when Ferguson found a bunker off the tee at the 16th but executed an impressive shot from 42 yards to get up and down for par. Despite this, Ferguson couldn’t maintain his advantage. After safely parring the 17th, he overhit his approach at the 18th, which led to a missed opportunity to save par.
Van Driel’s entry into the play-off was nearly as surprising as Reitan’s. After a steady start with 11 straight pars, the Dutchman finally made a birdie on the 13th and closed with a dramatic sequence of three birdies, including a 25-foot putt on the last.
China’s Haotong Li, South African Thriston Lawrence, American Troy Merritt, and England’s John Parry and Jordan Smith shared fourth place at ten under.