Three Englishmen shared the lead, while a pair of amateurs put on a show on day one of the 2022 Soudal Open.
Here is everything you need to know from the opening day at Rinkven International Golf Club.
Shinkwin's 65 that almost never happened
Callum Shinkwin did not expect to tee it up on Thursday due to injury, but he finished the day in a share of the lead on six under thanks to a stunning 65 - which was even more impressive in the circumstances. "I wasn’t really going to be playing today actually," said the 28-year-old. "I’ve had a wrist issue from yesterday and on the range it just erupted straight up my arm and I went into the office to see if there was a first reserve around and they said they were in already and had no-one else there, so go play if you can and if you can’t just walk in. Four holes in I was like 'It’s not looking good', and then I shot six under." Dale Whitnell and Sam Horsfield were the other men on six under par at the summit.
Fox a whisker away from ace
It did not take Ryan Fox long to hit top gear on Thursday, as he produced one of the shots of the day at the second hole. He made the 201-yard par three look easy as he sent the ball whistling agonisingly past the hole. After it stopped around five feet away from the cup, he tapped in for a birdie two.
Amazing amateurs
Thursday was a day that will live long in the memory of Ukrainian amateur Lev Grinberg. Making his debut on the DP World Tour at his home club, the 14-year-old carded three birdies and two bogeys to sign for a one-under-par 70. And he wasn't the only amateur to finish the day under par, with home hope Charles Roeland one shot better off on two under.
Hansen lands eagle
Joachim B. Hansen didn't require his putter at the par-four 11th as he produced this absolute beauty for an eagle...
As easy as that for JB Hansen 😁 #SoudalOpen pic.twitter.com/HIjtjxnmGd
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 12, 2022
Bumper Belgian crowds
The locals came out in numbers to see home heroes like Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry, and their support did not go unnoticed. Pieters said: "It is amazing knowing 50% of the people in the crowd and they were cheering for all three of us. I had a fantastic group with Guido (Migliozzi) and Ryan (Fox) today and I think all three of us played well, we had a good vibe out in the group and hopefully more of the same tomorrow."
