Soudal Open - Day one digest

Everything you need to know from round one at Rinkven International GC.

Three players were tied at the top, Thriston Lawrence sidebar and third thing.

Here is everything you need to know from the opening round in Antwerp.

Luiten keen to cash in on good form

Luiten is hoping to cash in on his recent good form after taking a share of the first-round lead at the Soudal Open. The Dutchman shot a six-under-par 65 at Rinkven International GC to sit alongside Spain's Angel Ayora and Canada's Aaron Cockerill. Luiten started on the back nine in Antwerp and was three under at the turn after gains from close range at the 11th, 16th and 18th. A tap-in birdie at the first was followed by another from 11 feet at the second before the first of two dropped shots following a wayward drive on the third. A birdie at the fourth was followed by an eagle from 27 feet at the fifth, although Luiten – who has finished third in India and fifth in Turkey in his last four starts – bogeyed the sixth after another errant drive led to him taking a drop. “Let’s hope the form continues,” Luiten said. “I’ve been playing well. I did well in Turkey — finished fifth there — so hopefully I can do even better here and carry that form into the next event, The Open in a couple of weeks. But every week is different, so right now I’m just focused on this one and we’ll see how it goes. 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."

Lawrence happy to be back on European soil

Thriston Lawrence is hoping a return to the DP World Tour can bring about an upturn in form after enjoying a confidence-boosting start. A season-high ten top tens – including five runner-up finishes – saw him finish second on the Race to Dubai Rankings last year to secure his card on the PGA TOUR for 2025. However, he has struggled stateside so far this year, missing the cut in nine of 11 starts, including at the opening two Major Championships. "This is where I started about four years ago, and I've been playing nicely last four years on this Tour so it’s nice to be back and I think it’s maybe needed for me just to get some confidence," he said. "I know the golf courses around here, I know the greens too. It’s also nice to start with a five under but it’s always great to be back and support the Tour."

Ayora and Cockerill make contrasting progress

HotelPlanner Tour graduate Ayora enjoyed an eventful round, bogeying his first hole of the day before holing his approach from 42 yards for eagle at the next. Seven birdies and a further two bogeys followed for the 20-year-old. “I played very well today. I did everything well - hitting it solid off the tee, striking the ball nicely, and putting well. So I’m happy with that, and I hope I can play the same way tomorrow. The key now is to stay patient and keep a strong mindset, because my game is in a good place. I think if I can stay mentally sharp, I’ll be in a good position.” Cockerill's progress was more serene as he carded six birdies in a flawless round. “I played very well today, stress free,” he said. “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."

Kleen strike

There were no signs of nerves from Algot Kleen as he made his professional debut.

Putter change for Penge

Marco Penge made the switch to a Scotty Cameron Tour Only T-5.2 for this week, changing from a blade putter to a mallet putter. An opening 66 suggests the decision was a good one.