Simon Forsström recovered from a back-nine wobble with a series of late birdies as he held off the charge of fellow Swede Jens Dantorp at the Soudal Open to claim his first DP World Tour title.
Forsström began the day with a slender one-shot lead before extending his advantage to three shots at the turn with birdies on the fourth and eighth.
But things began to unravel on the back nine as the 34-year-old followed up a double bogey at the tenth with a bogey on the 12th to surrender the outright lead.
He bounced back brilliantly, though, holing impressive birdie putts at the 14th, 16th and 17th to take a one-shot lead down the last.
And despite missing the fairway, he comfortably parred the last to sign for a closing 69, finish the tournament on 17 under par and clinch a one-shot victory.
A first DP World Tour title for Simon Forsström 🏆 #SoudalOpen pic.twitter.com/zqt5KQNmJF
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 14, 2023
The Swede secured his DP World Tour card with a two-stroke victory at the Final Stage of Qualifying School in November, and has been impressive ever since, recording three top-ten finishes over the first five months of the campaign before ending his long wait for victory at Rinkven International Golf Club.
Dantorp finished alone in second on 16 under following his closing 67, which featured five birdies and one bogey.
Dane Thorbjørn Olesen was two shots further back in third after posting a flawless 66 on Sunday.
Deon Germishuys was the highest-placed South African (T15) after a final-round 66, which included five birdies, took him to 10 under.
Hennie du Plessis ended on six under, with Thomas Aiken, Zander Lombard and Wilco Nienaber all on five under, and Justin Walters a further shot behind.
– Edited report from DP World Tour website
