Estonian pro golfer advances in Belgium and extends his season

Ken-Marten Soo secured 10th place in Belgium’s DP World Tour Q-School qualifying event, extending his first professional season and keeping open a route to golf’s top tour.

The Estonian had spent the previous three weeks competing on the ProGolf Tour in the Netherlands. With the tour scheduled to continue at Belgium’s Hulencourt course, he added the qualification event to his season plans. The conditions proved demanding. Heavy rain fell during the practice day, and strong winds continued throughout the tournament. Organizers reduced green speeds over the final two days because the wind made it difficult for balls to stay on the greens.

Soo opened with four birdies and three bogeys for a score of 1 under par, placing him inside the top 30. He then shot an even-par round with three birdies and three bogeys. His strongest performance came on the third day, when seven birdies and two bogeys produced a 5-under-par score, the second-best round of the day, and moved him into the top 10.

The wind was strongest on the final day. Soo played steadily, but made the only double bogey of his qualifying campaign on the 13th hole after taking four putts from six metres. His round of par was still enough to preserve 10th place and advance him with an overall score of 6 under par.

Of the 81 golfers who started, 19 advanced. Thailand’s Atiruj Winaicharoenchai led with 18 under par. “I am very happy with the tournament,” Soo said. “It was certainly nerve-racking to play at this level for the first time, but I was still able to enjoy it. I played my game, stuck to my plan and got a result that extended my season by at least a month.” The next qualifying round takes place in Spain in late October, followed by the final in early November.

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I am very happy with the tournament. It was certainly nerve-racking to play at this level for the first time, but I was still able to enjoy it. I played my game, and I knew before the tournament which parts of my game were stronger and what I needed to avoid. I stuck to the plan, and the result extended my season by at least a month.