Thriston Lawrence got back into the DP World Tour swing of things on Thursday with a bogey-free four-under-par 67 in the opening round of the Soudal Open at Rinkven International Golf Club in Antwerp, Belgium.
With three birdies on his opening nine after starting on the 10th, and one on his back nine, he was five strokes off the lead which was held by Sam Jones of New Zealand. Jones had an albatross on the 17th to pull him two shots clear of five players on seven-under. Lawrence was in a share of 15th.
Jones, who earned his DP World Tour card through Qualifying School last year, arrived in Belgium on the back of missed cuts in four of his last five starts. But having only secured his status on the DP World Tour just two weeks after turning professional, the 27-year-old is taking everything in his stride.
“I’m taking it as it comes (first year as a professional),” explained Jones, who last played on the DP World Tour at the Hero Indian Open in March. “The first few months have been pretty good, golf has been average but it’s been pretty good the last few weeks. I’m looking forward to getting into this European Swing.”
With Lawrence in 15th together with nine other players were Louis de Jager and Pieter Moolman. De Jager made two bogeys in his 67, and Moolman made four birdies without dropping a shot.
Jayden Schaper and Jaco Prinsloo were a shot back on three-under in a share of 27th, while Zander Lombard and Wales’ Rhys Enoch were on two-under in 47th.
Dylan Frittelli was on level-par, Justin Harding and Darren Fichardt were on one-over, Brandon Stone on two-over and Casey Jarvis on three-over.
