Lawrence joins the greats of SA Open

It had everything the final round of the 112th Investec SA Open deserved. And it took everything from Thriston Lawrence to do what the greats of SA golf have done before him and add his name to one of the most soughtafter trophies in the game.

With a drama-filled onestroke victory on 16 under par at Blair Atholl Golf and Country Estate on Sunday, Lawrence turned his boyhood dreams into reality and claimed his third DP World Tour victory in what for him has been an incredible 13 months.

“Unbelievable. It’s a dream come true for me. This is the one you want to win — your national Open. It was so special to have Gary Player watching as well. He’s won 13 of these, and now I’ve got one as well. It’s what you dream of. This means everything to me. This is by far my best victory ever,” said a relieved Lawrence.

He started the final round with a two-stroke lead and at one point was five shots ahead. But then came a stretch of five dropped shots in five holes on a back nine of 41 for a closing 74 where he was pulled into an almost match play battle with Clément Sordet who tied him for the lead before his bogey on 17.

“During the middle of the round, it felt like it was going to be an easy victory … and then golf happens. You get ups and downs during your round. You get ups and downs during life. And it happened to me today.

“It felt like everything was falling apart, but I just hung in there. It felt like match play. Even with those stumbles I was still ahead, and then after 16, I told myself I was all square. I just tried to stick to my own game and stay calm,” said Lawrence.

“To be standing here with the trophy is an unbelievable accomplishment for me. I’m just so grateful. It wasn’t the prettiest finish but a win is a win. I’ll probably wake up tomorrow and still not believe it. It’s the toughest thing in the world to win, and it’s been an unbelievable start to the new season for me.”

Sordet took second place on 15 under par with a closing 73. Christiaan Maas won the Freddie Tait Cup for leading amateur, ending the week on five under par with a final round of 77.