Soudal Open - Day two digest

Nicolas Colsaerts bids an emotional farewell in Belgium, Lombard produces late magic and Vaillant goes bogey-free for the second day in a row.

Here's what you need to know from Friday at Rinkven International Golf Club

Lombard relishing being back in the mix

Zander Lombard produced late magic on day two of the Soudal Open to head into the weekend in a share of the lead with Tom Vaillant at Rinkven International Golf Club.

The South African, who held a one stroke lead after the opening round in Belgium, holed a long-range birdie putt from 31 feet at the last to join the Frenchman at the top of the leaderboard after 36 holes.

The 31-year-old, who talked on Thursday about struggling to string together four consecutive rounds together since regaining his card at DP World Tour School last November, said he felt like things were finally starting to come together following his injury nearly two years ago.

"It was just really solid," he said.

"Since my injury is almost two years ago, and a year and a half after the surgery, so it's nice to just be back in the mix. Just before the surgery, I was 86 in the world, and top ten on the DP World Tour and playing great golf. It's nice to see that I'm still capable of that, and I feel like I'm doing that again. I feel like I'm out to try and win now, and hopefully, it's this weekend."

Vaillant goes bogey-free AGAIN

Tom Vaillant has now played three consecutive rounds on the DP World Tour without dropping a shot, following a 69 two weeks ago with a bogey-free 65 and another 64 on Friday to add to that tally.

“It was very solid. I think it’s my fourth bogey‑free round in the last six, so it was pretty good. I’m playing well, I’m enjoying it out there, back in Europe finally, so it feels good,” he said.

Colsaerts' final farewell

One of Belgium's finest, Nicolas Colsaerts said a final emotional farewell in front of friends, family and playing alongside two friends in Marcel Siem and Alexander Levy.

He put together a scintillating run that included an eagle on the fifth and followed it immediately with three birdies in a row. While he couldn't quite keep it going to make the weekend, he still called time on a brilliant career on his terms.

"When you look at the images, you can tell it means the world. When you walk a fairway like this, with your whole family, with your parents... I've learned the last couple of years that it's okay to show emotions. I have no problem with it. And I just hope that people will understand what it means to the majority of us who do this for a living, to have good times, but also navigate bad times. And this is why there's tears. It a lot to take.

"I wouldn't want it to end any other way, than having my loved ones around me. They're the ones that cop a lot of crap along the way. We have fun, we travel the world, but again, Rachel has been holding down the fort at home for almost 10 years now. It really means the world."

Haghedooren makes it through to the weekend

Speaking of achievements....

16-year-old amateur Arthur Haghedooren, who missed the cut on his debut in this event as a 14-year-old in 2024, put together a brilliant round to secure his first weekend of golf on the DP World Tour.

Vicky beats the pros!

Beat the Pro was in full effect at the Soudal Open, and it was Vicky who managed it!

The best shots of the day

Stealing the show during the second round were two chip ins and a monster putt !