Simon Forsstrom holds narrow lead after first round of Soudal Open
- Planet Sport writer
- 11 May 2023
Sweden's Simon Forsstrom leads the way after the opening round of the Soudal Open in Antwerp, but has four rivals snapping at his heels including Brits James Morrison and Andrew Wilson.
England's James Morrison lies a shot off the lead after the opening day of the Soudal Open after enjoying a welcome return to form in Antwerp.
Morrison has missed the cut in six of his 10 events in 2023 and recorded his best finish of 46th in January, but carded six birdies in a flawless 65 to share second place with compatriot Andrew Wilson, Marcel Siem and Jens Dantorp.
Sweden's Simon Forsstrom, who won the DP World Tour qualifying school last year, leads the way on seven under after a bogey-free 64 at Rinkven International Golf Club.
"It feels very, very good considering the golf I've been playing the last eight, nine months," Morrison said.
"It was a good day to play that well and was really enjoyable. It's been a pretty slow start to the year. It has been coming, but the hardest thing in golf is patience and waiting for it.
"Length isn't one of my strengths, but you come here and kind of lick your lips a little bit and think 'I can win or do well around here' and it's a matter of maintaining your precision and ticking along."
Forsstrom is also a fan of a course which measures less than 7,000 yards and said: "I've been playing pretty steady, making a lot of cuts and a couple of top 10s.
"I'm looking forward to the rest of the season and seeing what I can do, I feel like the game is pretty good now.
"I always enjoyed playing in Belgium when we played here on the Challenge Tour. I like the course because it's narrow and not so long, so it should fit me well.
"When I saw it during the practice round I was very pleased with the course, I'm glad I could take advantage of it."
Home favourite Thomas Detry is three shots off the lead after an opening 67.