Thriston Lawrence showcased his talent and composure at The Open, where he contended for the first time in a major. Starting the final nine holes with a one-shot lead, he shot an impressive 4-under 32 on the front nine and maintained his focus on Troon’s challenging back nine, finishing with eight pars and one bogey. His final-round 68 secured a solo fourth-place finish, three shots behind the winner, Xander Schauffele.
“I think I did pretty well out there,” Lawrence said. “I didn’t actually put myself under the pressure that some people are supposed to. I just looked at it as a normal Sunday of a normal golf tournament. Yes, it is The Open, it is a bigger stage. But being in that moment, I felt so calm. It felt like a normal Sunday, me trying to win a golf tournament, trying to be creative, and I managed to accomplish that. So very proud of myself.”
A crucial par save on the 18th hole earned Lawrence a solo fourth-place finish, bringing significant opportunities for the South African golfer. This achievement guarantees his return to next year’s Open and his first invitation to the Masters. Additionally, he boosted his chances of making this year’s Presidents Cup team and earned enough non-member FedExCup points (325) to gain Special Temporary Membership on the PGA TOUR for the rest of 2024. Lawrence also put himself on the path to securing his TOUR card for 2025.
Lawrence’s impressive performance moved him to fifth in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai standings and second among players not exempt on the PGA TOUR. The top 10 finishers in the Race to Dubai who are not yet exempt on the TOUR will earn their PGA TOUR cards for 2025.
Here are five things to know about Thriston Lawrence after his career-changing performance in The Open:
1. Early Career and Achievements
Thriston Lawrence, a 27-year-old from Kempton Park, South Africa, turned professional as a teenager in 2014 after winning the South African Amateur in 2013 and 2014, as well as the 2014 Lytham Trophy. He competed on the MENA Tour in 2015 and the Challenge Tour in 2016. He won the MENA Tour Order of Merit in 2015 and claimed his first professional title at the 2015 Ras Al Khaimah Classic, winning a five-man playoff that included former Open champion Darren Clarke. Lawrence also played on the Big Easy Tour in 2018, earning his card for the 2019-20 Sunshine Tour season, where he won his first Sunshine Tour event at the 2019 Vodacom Origins of Golf at Stellenbosch.
2. Current World Ranking and Recent Success
Lawrence is currently ranked 98th in the world. He qualified for this year’s Open by finishing among the top 30 in the 2023 Race to Dubai, ending the season 19th in the DP World Tour rankings thanks to two victories. He is a four-time winner on the DP World Tour, with two wins in South Africa at the 2021 Joburg Open and the 2022 South African Open, and additional victories at the 2022 Omega European Masters and the 2023 BMW International Open. In 2022, Lawrence became the first South African to win the DP World Tour’s Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award.
3. DP World Tour Membership
Lawrence secured his DP World Tour membership with his victory at the 2021 Joburg Open in South Africa, an event co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour. The tournament was reduced to 36 holes due to the discovery of a new COVID variant and inclement weather, but Lawrence’s pair of 65s in the first two rounds earned him a four-shot lead and the win, securing his membership on the DP World Tour.
4. Passion for Fishing
Lawrence is an avid fisherman, and he shares his love for the sport on his Instagram account, @golfergonefishing. This hobby provides a relaxing contrast to the high-pressure world of professional golf.
5. Future PGA TOUR Prospects
PGA TOUR fans can expect to see more of Thriston Lawrence in the coming months and years. At the end of the season, the top 10 finishers in the Race to Dubai who are not already exempt will earn PGA TOUR cards for 2025. With five top-10 finishes this season, Lawrence is 15th in the Race to Dubai and ranked ninth among players without TOUR status. His performance at The Open is likely to improve his standings, potentially leading to a Presidents Cup bid. Lawrence entered The Open ranked 23rd in the International Team’s standings, but his strong showing could see him rise significantly.
Lawrence’s breakthrough performance at The Open has set the stage for an exciting future in professional golf, with opportunities on the PGA TOUR and potential selection for prestigious events like the Presidents Cup.
