Simon Thornton has claimed his first ever win on the European Tour, with a play-off win over Tjaary van der Walt at the St Omer Open.

Thornton and van der Walt were both five under after 72 holes, finishing one shot ahead of Englishman Seve Benson, but were separated when Thornton hit par on the first play-off hole and van der Walt could only get a bogey.

Thornton takes home a cheque of €83,330, a record for him and just a few thousand short of his entire tour earnings in 2012.