Thriston Lawrence takes second once more
Lawrence's earnings this season are now just shy of R50m.
Thriston Lawrence has risen to new heights in the Official World Golf Rankings, courtesy of a tied second place at the 2024 BMW PGA Championship, cracking the top 50 for the first time.
His week at Wentworth Club in England started off on September 19 in no spectacular fashion, carding an opening round of 68, getting things going at four under par and three shots off the pace. On Friday, he scored a two-under 70, ensuring he was well ahead of the cut mark.
Lawrence was seven shots off the lead, though, and would need a brilliant third round if he was to ensure he was anywhere near the lead at the end of the third round. He carded his joint lowest round of the week, going seven under to move within five shots of the lead.
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He made sure he fired on all cylinders on the final day, and quickly ate away at the lead to get within reach of his fifth DP World Tour win. A lengthy birdie on the 16th hole handed him a brief solo lead, but Billy Hoschel and Rory McIlroy hauled him in and by the end of the day, had drawn level.
This set up a three-way play-off among the trio, who are also coincidentally the top three in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings.
Lawrence fell out on the first play-off hole, though, while Horschel went on to beat McIlroy on the second play-off hole to secure victory. This meant Lawrence and McIlroy finished tied second, Lawrence being handed the second-biggest individual payday of his career so far.
The 27-year-old Mbombelan golfer has been in sublime form. This year, he has won the SunBet Challenge Times Square, finished fourth at The Open, second at the British Masters and tied second at the European Masters, Jonsson Workwear Open and the Dubai Invitational.
This has all contributed to a mammoth year for this Lowvelder, who has won €2 587 505.98 (just shy of R50m) in prize money this season alone. Lawrence also currently lies second in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings, behind only Rory McIlroy. He is also now ranked 47th in the world, his highest ranking ever.
