It was an unfamiliar name at the top of the standings in Belgium but DP World Tour journeyman Simon Forsström was the talk of Antwerp as he shot a bogey-free 64 on day one of the 2023 Soudal Open.

The Swede has a one-shot lead at seven-under on the field, with England’s Andrew Wilson and James Morrison, German Marcel Siem and Jens Dantorp, another Swede, in joint-second.

“Everything went very well,” Forsström said.  “I hit the driver straight, put some shots very close and holed a couple of putts as well. Everything was rolling pretty well today.

“I’ve been playing pretty steady, making a lot of cuts and a couple of top tens. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and seeing what I can do, I feel like the game is pretty good now.

“I always enjoyed playing in Belgium when we played here on the Challenge Tour. I like the course because it’s narrow and not so long, so it should fit me well.

“When I saw it during the practice round I was very pleased with the course, I’m glad I could take advantage of it today.”