Niall Kearney ties for 15th as Sam Horsfield claims Soudal Open

Sam Horsfield secured his third DP World Tour title just two weeks after his return from a three-month injury absence, winning the Soudal Open by two shots.

Horsfield overcame overnight leader Ryan Fox in a thrilling final-round battle, carding four birdies and a solitary bogey in a closing 68 to finish the tournament on 13 under par.

Niall Kearney had to settle for a tie for 15th after shooting his highest round of the week. The Dubliner started the day on eight under par, but he couldn't find the form of his first three rounds as he reached the turn in 36, level par.

Kearney started the back nine with consecutive bogeys at 10 and 11 before another 15 saw him fall back to five under. But he finished on a high with his only birdie of the day at 17 to end the week on six under par.

Englishman Horsfield found himself with serious work to do after pars at the opening six holes left him three shots behind playing partner Fox, but a birdie putt from around 33 feet at the seventh kick-started his round.

After closing the gap further at the start of the back nine, Horsfield found himself out in front for the first time when Fox bogeyed the 16th.

With both men making birdies at the 17th, Horsfield took a one-shot lead to the 18th and a par there was enough to secure a two-shot victory.

Horsfield, who had his partner on the bag this week, was fighting back the tears as he completed his round.

Final leaderboard

He told Sky Sports: "I was trying not to cry while I was over that little tap-in (at the 18th). Having Issi on the bag, it's been an amazing week.

"Mick (Seaborn, his regular caddie) is not here but I wish he was. I said yesterday I wanted to do it for him and I was able to do it for him. I’m just so, so happy.

"I definitely thought