Harrold downs Fritsch in playoff in Belgium

Aartselaar, Belgium (SportsNetwork.com) - William Harrold parred the first playoff hole Sunday to defeat Florian Fritsch and win the Belgian Challenge Open.

Fritsch followed a birdie at the 17th with a closing par to post a 6-under 65 and meet Harrold at 18-under-par 266. Harrold, who was the third-round leader, carded a 5-under 66 during his final round at Cleydael Golf & Country Club to also end there.

The pair headed back to the 18th, and Harrold made par to earn his first European Challenge Tour title.

Harrold birdied two of the first three holes to start his round. After four pars in a row, Harrold poured in three straight birdies from the eighth to get to 18-under. He closed with eight consecutive pars. For the week, Harrold played the front nine in 17-under par with no bogeys and 17 birdies.

Fritsch birdied three of the first four holes to open his round. He wrapped birdies at six and eight around a bogey on the seventh. Fritsch birdied the 13th and 17th to join Harrold at 18-under.

Jason Palmer and Dave Coupland both closed with 66s and they shared third at minus-16. Joel Stalter posted a 67 on Sunday and ended alone in fifth place at 15-under-par 269.