Day four digest: 2022 Soudal Open

Everything you need to know from an enthralling final day in Belgium.

Sam claimed his third DP World Tour title after a final-round duel, Ryan is well placed to qualify for the U.S. Open, amateur Lev set big ambitions after a memorable week and Fabrizio made a chip-in birdie after it did a 360 around the hole on day four of the 2022 Soudal Open.  

Here is everything you need to know from Sunday at Rinkven International Golf Club.

Horsfield holds off Fox after final-day tussle

Sam Horsfield held his nerve down the stretch to clinch a two-shot victory in Belgium as he continued his excellent return to DP World Tour action following a near three-month break due to injury. A closing 68, which included four birdies and a single bogey, saw the Englishman outduel New Zealand’s Ryan Fox and land his third Tour title, after his wins at the Hero Open and Celtic Classic in 2020. Speaking in the immediate aftermath of his win, Horsfield was quick to pinpoint his birdie at the seventh as a pivotal moment. Three shots behind Fox, the 25-year-old made his first birdie of the day to reduce the deficit and, despite his final-round playing partner quickly restoring the advantage at the eighth, it provided the springboard for the rest of his round.

Emotions come to the fore for winner

Horsfield, who had his partner Issi on the bag this week in the absence of regular caddie Mick Seaborn, was fighting back the tears as he completed his round. "I was trying not to cry while I was over that little tap-in (at the 18th). Having Issi on the bag, it's been an amazing week," he said. "Mick (Seaborn, his regular caddie) is not here but I wish he was. I said yesterday I wanted to do it for him and I was able to do it for him. I'm just so, so happy."

He added: "I definitely thought about Mick quite a lot. Especially on the back nine, I pulled a few clubs that he definitely would have wanted me to hit. Issi has been amazing. I've been so happy on the golf course." In four events on the DP World Tour this season, Horsfield's worst finish is tied 21st. Next up for the three-time winner on Tour is the US PGA Championship at Southern Hills.

Fox well placed as U.S. Open qualification takes shape

The Soudal Open was the second of four DP World Tour events which comprise the 2022 European Qualifying Series for this year’s U.S. Open Championship. Fox was forced to settle for tied second in Belgium on Sunday but that result coupled with his top 10 at The Belfry the week before leaves the 35-year-old fourth for points-earners in the updated standings with the Dutch Open and Porsche European Open still to come.  

• U.S. Open Qualification: Standings

Amateur Lev sets Major Championship goals

It was a week to remember for 14-year-old Ukrainian amateur Lev Grinberg after he became the second-youngest player to make the cut at a DP World Tour event. After closing with a final round of 74 in front of his home club fans, he didn’t shy away from expressing his career goals. “I would like to win every Major and the FedExCup, the minimum,” he said confidently. In the immediate future, fans will next get the chance to see him play at the Dutch Open later this month.

360… and in!

A five-over 76 might not have been the final round Fabrizio Zanotti was hoping for, but the Paraguayan still produced a highlight-worthy moment with this chip-in from the back of the green at the sixth on Sunday.

The birdie was never in doubt!