Richie Ramsay sounded as comfortable as a kid candy store, posting an opening 68 at this week’s Soudal Open on the outskirts of Antwerp in Belgium.

Ramsay, and a month shy to turning 40, didn’t drop a shot to be just inside the top-20 in cool and cloudy conditions on the host Rinkven International course.

Richie Ramsay in his comfort zone teeing-up this week in Belgium

​Sweden’s Simon For​s​strom ​posted a sizzling seven-under 64 to lead the way by a shot ​but only after England’s Andrew Wilson bogeyed the last just after 8pm local time to drop back into share of second at six-under and joining fellow ​Engl​ishman​ James Morrison​, ​affable German Marcel Siem​ and Swede Jens Dantorp​

It’s the fourth occasion the DP World Tour is competing on the Rinkven course and with Ramsay’s opener matching his best of a similar 6​8​ just 12 months ago in finishing T15th.

He said: “I played really well not making a bogey and I kept the momentum going with some nice-and-downs to save par which helped.

“I feel as though I had birdie chances on most holes, and it was my putting that let me down but I like the golf course. I like that in a golf course that presents you with a lot of options in playing all sorts of different shots.

“I’m also feeling so comfortable being back in Europe.  The two weeks out in Japan and South Korea were great but I just ​enjoy it some much ​​coming​ here and being back in Europe.

“I didn’t play last week in Italy, so the reason I am here this week is pretty much because of the golf course, and the general ​good ​feel about it.

“Also, being back in Europe is great as it means you can leave for events on a Tuesday, and often get back home late Sunday night and that’s so important with most of the guys having young families”.

Peebles Craig Howie continues his good form signing for a two-under 69, one clear of Fifer Connor Syme.

Bearden’s Ewen Ferguson drew level with Ramsay when he picked-up a third birdie in his round at the 10^th but a double on the par-3 15^th and then finding water in taking a bogey at the par-5 17^th saw him finish with a level par 71.