DP World Tour : Omega European Masters. Results
Thriston Lawrence joined Seve Ballesteros as a three-time winner of the Omega European Masters after edging Paul Casey in a thrilling play-off following a sensational final round in Crans Montana.
The South African led at the halfway stage at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, but dropped down the leaderboard on Moving Day following a three-over 73.
He began Sunday's round six shots behind Casey, but a sparkling 62 saw him set the clubhouse target at 18 under which no one could better.
Casey slipped two behind Lawrence at one stage, but four birdies on the back nine saw him lead by one with the 72nd hole to play, only to drop a shot and endure a play-off.
It took four extra holes to decide a winner, but Lawrence came out on top with a birdie after his rival had missed his lengthy effort from the fringe.
As a result, Lawrence joined an exclusive group with the great Ballesteros as the only players to triumph three times in the Swiss event since 1972 following his successes in 2022 and 2025.
"It's crazy, it's probably the most emotion I've ever shown like in a happy way, normally I cry," Lawrence said after successfully defending his crown in the Alps.
"I can't believe it, I fought so hard today and just gave it my everything. I feel for Paul, he played great and it looked like it was his even in the play-off.
"It's just the best feeling in the world, honestly the best feeling in the world.
"Honestly I did (think I had a chance), I was playing nicely and after the first two rounds, I thought I could shoot eight or nine under and finish well.
"I knew there would be a low-60 in there and I just had to believe and give it my all.
"It's amazing, to play in a golf tournament that I think is the longest ever that's hosted at the same golf course, and to share three with Seve, I never met him but I've always seen clips of him, and it's unbelievable to share that with him."
Casey had made a clutch par putt at the 16th keeping him one ahead and he only needed to par the last, which he had birdied on each of the first three days, to seal his 16th DP World Tour title, but Casey lipped out his putt and it went to a play-off.
This was the 11th play-off in the last 19 editions of this event and both players parred the three extra holes before the South African drained the winning 23-foot birdie putt for his place in history alongside Ballesteros. Casey had missed winning putts inside 10' on two successive holes.
• His sixth DP World Tour title in his 143rd start, and first since the 2025 edition of the Omega European Masters one year and six days prior
• His third Omega European Masters victory in his fifth appearance at the tournament, following success last year and in 2022
• Moves to 21st on the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World on 1,188.56 points
• Moves to 111th on the Official World Golf Ranking, up from 183rd
• The eighth Omega European Masters win by a player from South Africa
Harry Hall carded an eagle and five birdies in his blemish-free 63 for 3rd at -17, while Spanish trio Hidalgo, Ayora and Eugenio Chacarra were one shot further back at -16 alongside Austrian Bernd Wiesberger and Italy's Laporta.
Joel Girrbach, the only home player to make the weekend, finished at -15, with Englishman Matt Wallace to wrap up the top ten.
Casey revealed he will donate all of his prize money to the Fondation Beloved charity connected to the tragic New Year's Day fire at a bar in Crans Montana, with 354,734 euros being pledged for his runner-up finish.
Next week Rory returns to Ireland with some of his Ryder Cup pals to lead a star studded field at the Amgen Irish Open.
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit)
No comments:
Post a Comment