Thriston Lawrence says he will fulfil a career ambition when he tees it up on home soil in his first appearance at the Nedbank Golf Challenge after a standout season in which he has won twice on DP World Tour.
The South African claimed his maiden Tour victory at the Joburg Open in November 2021 as he became the first winner of the new DP World Tour era.
He then added a second triumph in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland in August, where he beat Matt Wallace in a play-off, and now takes his place in the 40th anniversary edition of ‘Africa’s Major’.
“I can’t wait,” said Lawrence ahead of teeing it up in Sun City at the Gary Player Golf Club.
“This is a lifelong dream, watching the guys since I have grown up always supporting this event.
“The tournament normally used to be over my birthday so to tee it up in my first Nedbank Golf Challenge is a dream come true.”
Lawrence arrives at the penultimate event of the season in tenth place on the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership, with an impressive eight top tens to his name.
Along with Germany’s Yannik Paul, who won his breakthrough title at the Mallorca Golf Open last month, he is contention to win the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award.
“That is not the be-all and end-all, but it is definitely a goal,” he said.
“I don’t think there has ever been a South African who has ever won the Rookie of the Year so it would be a great milestone for me.”
Victory in South Africa at the start of the season secured the 25-year-old qualification for The 150th Open at St Andrews where he made his Major Championship debut.
His win at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club during the summer saw him rise inside the top 100 on the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time and a win this week would see him become the first player to win three times on tour this season.
“Not changing the way I have played since the start of the year,” said Lawrence when asked what he attributes his form down to.
“I like to play and I just kept on playing every week. Once you start playing well and you don’t stop playing then you keep that form.”
