Thriston Lawrence says he “feels like he can win every week” as he prepares to challenge Rory McIlroy for the Race to Dubai title at the DP World Tour Championship.
Lawrence is the last remaining challenger to McIlroy's bid to equal Seve Ballesteros with a sixth Race to Dubai crown, with the South African needing to win at Jumeirah Golf Estates to stand any chance of stopping the four-time Major Champion.
Even victory would not be enough to stop McIlroy topping the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex if the Northern Irishman finishes 11th or better.
“It would mean the world, being the best golfer on Tour over the year is an unbelievable achievement,” Lawrence said.
“So obviously a dream I've always had - to play on the DP World Tour has been a dream for me. Sitting here right now, I've achieved a lot of things that I've wanted to, but to get this trophy behind me would be just unbelievable.
“Obviously ranking-wise, the best season I've had in my life. I've won twice in my rookie year, twice last year. This year, I won on the Sunshine Tour which is nice. I always feel like with the strength of golfers in today's time, winning on any tour is quite an achievement.
“Not winning on this Tour yet, but still one event left. So maybe it's my time this week. But yeah, it's been an unbelievable year.
“Where I am now, it just feels comfortable. It feels like I can win every week. Just to see myself grow from two years ago is just unbelievable.”
Asked how we would approach trying to stop McIlroy this week, Lawrence emphasised that it was important not to try and get too far ahead of himself.
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“Mentally, I don't think I need to do much more than I've done the last couple of years,” he added. “I know the game is there. I think it's just don't chase it too hard from the start.
“You're going to see guys playing eight, nine-under on Thursday. It's just telling yourself it's a four-round tournament and trying to make birdies every four or five holes and just think if you can get to four or five-under every round, that's sort of what I need to do, and be aggressive as always.
“It's nice to have a chance, obviously. It's going to take a lot.
“But just incredible to have an opportunity. So I'm very grateful just to be inside the top 50 to be able to compete this week. It's been an unbelievable year, and yeah, Rory has been an idol for me since growing up as a youngster and being able to clinch it this week would be the cherry on the cake for myself.”
Asked to rate his season, Lawrence responded: “It's been amazing. I think definitely a nine out of 10. A win this week would maybe notch it up by one.”
