Richard Stern Secures First DP World Tour Title in Over a Decade
Richard Stern has ended a long 13-year wait for a DP World Tour title, clinching victory at the Soudal Open held at Linkben International Golf Club in Belgium. This triumph comes after the South African golfer delivered a two-stroke win, finishing with a remarkable score of 18 under par.
The 44-year-old entered the final round trailing leader Xander Lombard by five shots. Lombard started strong but faltered in the closing holes, recording two bogeys and a double bogey, ultimately dropping to eighth place.
Stern took advantage of his opportunities during the final round, making birdies on the first, second, and fifth holes, which propelled him to 16 under. After a solitary bogey on the eighth, he rebounded impressively, nearly scoring an albatross on the par-5 17th, with a stunning shot from 276 yards that left him just a few feet short of the hole.
Stern tapped in for eagle, wrapped up his round with a par, and ended the weekend on a high note. His performance was two shots better than a six-player group tied at 16 under, which included British golfer Marcus Armitage.
With this victory, Stern earns his place as a seven-time DP World Tour champion and is set to leap an impressive 124 spots in the Race to Dubai rankings. However, his journey back to the top has not been easy, as serious wrist and back injuries have plagued his career.
Reflecting on the win, Stern remarked on the challenges he has faced. “It’s been a tough road,” he admitted. “Dealing with multiple injuries has been challenging, but being back in the winner’s circle today comes as a complete surprise.” He expressed joy not only in winning but also in being able to share this experience with his children, especially as his eldest approaches the age of thirteen.
Stern shared the excitement of his performance, particularly the final shot on hole 17, which he hailed as one of his best ever. “I needed to hit a little draw to get the distance, and I think I executed it perfectly,” he said. “It was a great finish.” Meanwhile, Lombard’s disappointing back nine left a contrasting narrative as he faced struggles but noted that he performed well up to that point, emphasizing a desire to remain competitive moving forward.
Xander Lombard Reflects on Tough Final Round
After his collapse, Lombard expressed disappointment with his performance on Sunday, highlighting a series of mistakes, particularly on the 13th hole where he found water. “There are no words to describe this feeling,” he remarked. Despite the setback, he remained optimistic about his potential, stating that his efforts to remain in contention were worthwhile.
Looking Ahead to the Next Challenge
The DP World Tour continues its European journey next week, transitioning to the Austrian Alpine Open. Defending champion Nikolai von Dellingshausen will tee off at the renowned Gut Altentan Golf Club in Salzburg. Fans can catch all four rounds live on Sky Sports, with coverage starting on Thursday at noon.
