South African golfer Thriston Lawrence demonstrated impressive fortitude to secure the title at the European Masters. On Sept. 3, 2023, he fired a scintillating 4-under 66 at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Switzerland. By winning this victory was his fifth title on the European Tour proper! This win was special for several reasons. Lawrence, who started the day at No. 94 in the world, overcame an ugly start to emerge with a two-stroke advantage over Matt Wallace, Sami Välimäki, and Rasmus Højgaard.
Lawrence’s path to victory got off to a very rough start. After going bogey-bogey-bogey on his first three holes, that left him with no margin for error right from the start of his round. He was soon back on even keel, showing serious craft and poise. His real turning point was the par-4 sixth hole. He then was able to drive the green in two and sunk an incredible 20-foot eagle putt! This landmark moment became a catalyst to build his confidence, and more importantly, the tide of game shifted to his favor.
After the eagle, Lawrence settled in nicely, recording five birdies total en route to his round. With each birdie, his lead multiplied as he made his way around the treacherous layout at Crans-sur-Sierre. He combined mind-boggling accuracy with unfathomable tactical intelligence. He capitalized on scoring chances and was able to mitigate damage better than most.
Even as he cruised through his last holes, Lawrence had a businesslike demeanor, not letting up on the competition chasing him so closely. His resilience after a brutal first five innings showed us the fire and artistry he brings with him to high-stakes games. The Czech golfer concluded his round in sole possession of first place, two strokes ahead of Wallace, Välimäki, and Højgaard. Even after all of those outstanding efforts, it wasn’t enough to beat the great South African golfer.
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