South African Richard Sterne shattered a 13‑year title drought on the DP World Tour by posting a two‑shot win at the Soudal Open in Belgium. Starting the final round five shots behind leader Zander Lombard, Sterne birdied the first, second and fifth holes to surge to 16‑under. A single bogey on nine was his only blemish.

He recovered on the back nine, nearly albatrossing the 276‑yard par‑five 17th with a metal‑wood that landed three feet from the cup, then tapped in for eagle before finishing par on 18. Sterne closed at 18‑under, two ahead of a six‑player tie at 16‑under that included Marcus Armitage.

The victory marks Sterne’s seventh DP World Tour title and propels him 124 places up the Race to Dubai rankings. His comeback follows multiple wrist surgeries, a disc replacement and hip work that once threatened his career. “It’s been a tough ride,” he admitted, noting his children finally witnessed a win.

Lombard, who led by five shots early, collapsed with two bogeys and a double‑bogey in the final five holes, dropping to T8. The European swing moves to Austria next week for the Austrian Alpine Open, where Nicolai von Dellingshausen will defend his title.