This week, the golfing world turns its attention to the picturesque Rinkven International Golf Club in Antwerp, Belgium, as European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald makes his debut at the Soudal Open.
Fresh from a strong performance at the US PGA Championship, the former World Number One is set to join a host of local favourites in what promises to be an exciting event on the European Tour.
Joining Donald in this prestigious tournament are two of his Vice Captains from Europe’s victory in Rome last year, Edoardo Molinari and Nicolas Colsaerts.
Colsaerts, a three-time DP World Tour winner, is part of a 15-strong Belgian contingent eager for home glory, ensuring a lively competition.
Adding to the buzz is rising star Adrien Dumont de Chassart, who expresses his excitement at competing in Belgium for the first time as a professional.
The 24-year-old is determined to continue his successful form, having recently secured his maiden Korn Ferry Tour victory and finished third in the 2023 PGA TOUR University ranking.
Defending champion Simon Forsström of Sweden returns to the Soudal Open, aiming to repeat his triumph from last year.
His presence adds another layer of competition as the 2024 Race to Dubai heats up, marking the event’s first appearance on European soil this season.
The field is further bolstered by six players who earned their spots in the upcoming U.S. Open through Final Qualifying at Walton Heath in England.
Alongside Molinari, competitors include Grant Forrest, Richard Mansell, Sam Bairstow, Jason Scrivener, and Matteo Manassero, ensuring a high-caliber lineup.
Luke Donald: It’s a new experience for me. I’ve not spent any time in Belgium so it’s always nice to visit a new place, a new country, new cultures, see a new golf course.
I’ve heard good things about this place. Tree-lined, one of the players’ favourites, a kind of old-school golf course. So, I’m excited for a good week.
I’ve been working at my game but not seen much progress and then got a bit of a breakthrough with a few things I’ve been working on a couple of weeks ago and it showed. I had a nice performance last week.
To play four rounds in a Major is always satisfying and hopefully something that I can build on for this week.
Some good young Belgian players. Thomas Detry finished fourth last week and Adrien Dumont De Chassart is a good up-and-coming player. Thomas Pieters has been a great player over the years.
For Belgium, for such a small country, it has some great players and the same as well all over Europe.
As anticipation builds for the Soudal Open, all eyes are on Rinkven International Golf Club, where Donald and other top talents are poised to showcase their skills.
Stay tuned for updates as the action unfolds and the race for European glory begins!
