William Harrold returns to a happy hunting ground in Cleydael Golf and Country Club, the scene of his maiden victory on the European Challenge Tour, for this week’s KPMG Trophy.
Last time Europe’s top developmental tour was in Aartselaar in 2014, the Englishman secured a dramatic first win in the Antwerp province.
With the fierce competition of the 2016 Road to Oman it may feel like a lifetime ago for the 28 year old, but the University of Missouri graduate has fond memories of his sole triumph on the Challenge Tour.
“To win here was awesome,” said Harrold, who beat Germany’s Florian Fritsch in a play-off to seal victory.
“It is obviously nice to be here, although it was two years ago now, so we will see how it goes. It is a nice club and a very nice course to play.
“To win here before was a kick-start for me, it basically got me my status on the Challenge Tour, and before that I think I was category 15 so I would have hardly played in any events otherwise. I have been on the Tour for two years now, so it was very important for me.
“The course is playing different to what it was then - it is a little bit softer and playing a bit longer - and although I have good memories from playing here before we will see what happens.”
Harrold, who has won twice on the satellite EuroPro Tour, produced one of the moments of the season so far when he made a hole-in-one, the third of his career, from 197 yards thanks to a sweetly struck six iron at the Red Sea Egyptian Challenge Presented by Hassan Allam Properties.
“I have been playing okay this year and I feel that my game is pretty good,” said Harrold, whose highest position this season came in Egypt when he finished tied 11th.
“I just haven’t been able to score well yet. Sometimes the best rounds come when you are not hitting it well. Overall I have been hitting it nicely, just not scoring as well.
“I was very happy with my performance in Egypt, and I have shown some fighting spirit at times this year, but nothing has happened for me yet.
“I just need to have a bit more confidence, have a bit more belief in my game, and when I manage to reach a few under, just keep going.”
Also looking forward to returning to Cleydael Golf and Country Club is France’s Joël Stalter, who finished fifth here in 2014 in just his second event as a professional.
Home favourite Thomas Detry, the former World Amateur Number Eight, is making his professional debut this week. The Brussels-born 23 year old, who studied at the University of Illinois alongside close friend and fellow countryman Thomas Pieters, is one of 13 Belgian players in this week’s field.
Coming into the tournament in fine form is Frenchman Damien Perrier. After winning his maiden Challenge Tour title in the Czech Republic two weeks ago, the 26 year old was one off the lead going into the final round in Switzerland last week.
