Joost Luiten made the most of home comforts to post an opening six under par 65 and take a share of the first round lead at the Soudal Open.
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The Dutchman is staying at home just across the Belgium-Netherlands border this week and made the most of familiar surroundings to share a one-stroke lead with Canadian Aaron Cockerill and Spain’s Angel Ayora at Rinkven International Golf Club.
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Starting from the tenth, six-time DP World Tour winner Luiten made the turn at three under with his birdie at the 18th the first of three in a row as he opened a gap at the top of the leaderboard.
He gave a shot back at the par four third hole, but responded immediately with a birdie at the fourth and an eagle at the fifth to reach seven under. He carded his second and final bogey of the day at the very next hole, before parring his way in to set the target.
That target was matched by Ayora, who was on course to take the lead on his own before bogeying his final hole, and Cockerill who went bogey-free round the Antwerp lay-out to post his lowest round on the 2025 Race to Dubai.
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The leading trio are one stroke ahead of three players who share fourth place, with South African Thriston Lawrence making a strong start in his first round of the European Swing alongside American Sean Crocker and Englishman Marco Penge, who continued his excellent run of form.
The 27-year-old won his maiden DP World Tour title at the Hainan Classic last month before finishing in a tie for 28th place on his US PGA Championship debut at Quail Hollow Club last week.
Player quotes
Aaron Cockerill: I played very well today, stress free. I don’t know if I had a par putt much longer than three feet, a lot of greens, a lot of fairways. I like this course. I’ve had decent results here last year, so I’m happy to be back.
It’s a bit firm and brown in spots, so if you miss the green in the wrong spot, it’s just going to bounce further away from the hole and you’re going to be dead in a few areas. Not able to get it up and down. I just was able to keep it in front of me and keep it on the greens and not end up short sided at all and that made the day a lot more enjoyable.
Joost Luiten: Six under, 65, is a good round of golf. I had five birdies, an eagle, and two bogeys. The bogeys always sting a bit, but on a tricky golf course with tough wind, it happens. You’ve just got to accept it. Luckily, I made enough birdies and that eagle to keep the momentum going.
It definitely helps that I can sleep at home this week. It feels like a home week for me. It’s just over the border — I used to live here in Belgium for three years, so I know this place pretty well. It’s nice to be close to home and playing courses that are familiar.
