CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland — In a thrilling final round that saw a stunning turnaround, South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence battled back from a difficult start to claim his second career European Masters title on a memorable Monday finish in 2022.
A Rocky Start to the Final Round
Leading by a single shot overnight, Lawrence’s title hopes seemed to be slipping away as he began his final round with three straight bogeys, quickly falling two strokes off the pace. His playing partners capitalized on his struggles, and it appeared the pressure of the moment might be too much for him to handle.
The Turnaround
Showing remarkable composure, the South African found his form on the sixth hole, where he sank a crucial eagle to reignite his round. This momentum shift was followed by five birdies over his next eight holes, allowing him to regain control of the leaderboard and finish two shots clear of the field.
An Emotional Victory
After securing the win, an emotional Lawrence spoke to reporters about the intense mental battle he faced. “Winning is tough. I was so nervous all day. It always looks so easy but it’s not,” he said. “I’m just so emotional, so happy. It’s been a grind all day.” He playfully acknowledged his shaky start by adding, “Obviously after that start – I tried to give the guys a chance there! But yeah, I’m just so proud of the way I fought out there.”
Discussion about this post