South African Richard Sterne made a late surge to win by two strokes in Antwerp and clinch his first European Tour title in 13 years on Sunday.<\/p>\n
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Richard Sterne came back from FIVE behind to win the 2026 Soudal Open \ud83c\udfc6#SoudalOpen<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/JvtB2hinau<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sterne hit an astonishing approach shot on the 17th hole to set up a short putt for eagle and pulled away from the chasing pack.<\/p>\n He shot a closing round of 66 to finish 18-under for the tournament and win his first title since the 2013 Joburg Open, after a difficult time with injuries.<\/p>\n “It’s been a tough ride. A lot of injuries, a lot of hard things that I’ve gone through but to get back in the winner’s circle is… quite unexpected today,” said Sterne.<\/p>\n “I thought I was one behind playing the last but then got on to the 18th green and had a quick look at the board and was quite surprised.”<\/p>\n Fellow South African Zander Lombard led for most of the final round but crumbled on the back nine, making two bogeys and a double-bogey in the space of four holes.<\/p>\n Six players tied for second place on 16-under, while Lombard finished another stroke adrift.<\/p>\n The 44-year-old Sterne lost several years of his career to injuries, undergoing a hip operation and three wrist surgeries. He also has a titanium disc in his lower back.<\/p>\n “They were hard times, I didn’t think I was going to get through a lot of them,” said Sterne.<\/p>\n “I’ve been through it all so I’m pretty happy. It’s been very tough, the last couple of years, but there’s been some signs of good things.”<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Richard Sterne wins the 2026 Soudal Open\ud83c\udfc6#SoudalOpen<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Pa7O0tdcMc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n