Francesco Molinari is relishing the opportunity to tee it up in the European Swing as he makes his Soudal Open debut at Rinkven International Golf Club this week.
The Italian Major champion makes his maiden appearance on Belgian soil this week and joins a host of international stars at a tournament that boasts a rich history, dating back to 1910.
The Soudal Open is the second of six National Opens that take centre stage on the European Swing, the fourth of five Global Swings that make up the first part of the 2025 Race to Dubai, and Molinari is itching to turn his recent good work into positive results.
The 42-year-old missed out on a spot in the U.S. Open at Monday’s Qualifying event but took positives from his 36-hole performance, and he’ll be joined this week by all eight players who booked their spots at Oakmont Country Club next month, including brother Edoardo and countryman Guido Migliozzi, who won the Belgian Knockout at Rinkven in 2019.
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Spain’s Nacho Elvira is the defending champion having secured a one-stroke victory last year, while Frenchman Martin Couvra makes his first appearance since claiming his maiden DP World Tour title at the Turkish Airlines Open in the first event of the European Swing.
There is a strong Belgian contingent teeing it up in Antwerp this week, including 2023 Ryder Cup Vice Captain Nicolas Colsaerts and 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Thomas Pieters, who finished in a tie for second at last year’s Soudal Open.
Player quotes
Francesco Molinari: I’m really looking forward to it. It’s an event that I’ve been watching on TV, growing the last few years. I think from what I saw on TV, it’s a course that I’ll definitely like. I haven’t had a chance to be out there yet, but I’m looking forward to the week. It’s always nice to play national events, national opens. I’m sure that the crowds will be great. The weather seems to be set for a great week, so can’t wait to start.
I think national events are the core of the DP World Tour. For guys like me, like Nico Colsaerts, coming from smaller golfing nations, obviously our national opens are the fifth major growing up. I know how much Belgians care about this week. I think it’s one of the things that makes this tour special and especially in the summer, there’s going to be a lot of very cool European events. Hopefully I can be part of a few of them at least.
