Thriston Lawrence is a three-time Omega European Masters champion after prevailing in a thrilling play-off at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.
Related: Driven by a cause, Paul Casey climbs a summit in Crans-Montana
The South African came out the victor of a four-hole battle with England’s Paul Casey in Crans-Montana, the feat reaffirming his title as king of the Swiss mountains following his successes in 2022 and 2025.
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Lawrence, beginning Sunday six shots behind Casey, mixed four birdies on his front nine with another four on the back to produce an almighty final round of 62. The bogey-free effort took his tally to 18 under par for the week and set the clubhouse target, with plenty of golf still to be played.
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Casey, part of the final group, slipped two behind at one stage, but four gains on the back nine saw him lead by one with the 72nd hole to play. Despite a lucky escape, where his ball nearly found the water, the 49-year-old closed with a bogey to post a 68 and endure the extra holes.
The pair played the 18th to par three times before Lawrence secured the momentous victory with a birdie putt, after his rival had missed his lengthy effort from the fringe.
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The result sees Lawrence join an exclusive group with the great Seve Ballesteros as the only players to triumph three times in the Swiss event since 1972. It also sees the now six-time DP World Tour winner jump to 21st on the 2026 Race to Dubai Rankings delivered by DP World.
England’s Harry Hall finished a shot back in outright third, thanks to a bogey-free 63, while Austrian Bernd Weisberger and Italy’s Francesco Laporta joined Spanish trio Eugenio Chacarra, Angel Ayora and Angel Hidalgo in a share of fourth at 16 under.
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Home favourite Joel Girrbach delighted fans and carded a final round 65 to finish in a share of ninth, alongside 2024 winner Matt Wallace.
Player quotes:
Thriston Lawrence: It’s crazy, it’s probably the most emotion I’ve ever shown like in a happy way, normally I cry. 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.
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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.
I’ve never defended any tournament, so to defend my title, up in Crans, is just the best feeling in the world. Just the character I showed all day, and just to believe in myself, and really give it my all, is just the best feeling.
To be honest, it’s a weird feeling. I was fairly fine until it got, when Paul got to 18, I was a bit nervous, you know? You never know what can happen. He can either make birdie, and it’s game over, or he can make double, and I can win it outright. It was stressful, but you don’t want to wish anything on someone, but I just waited to see what happened, and, you know, I don’t have any control of anything, they do, and what happens out there. It wasn’t the best feeling in the world, but when I got the opportunity, it definitely, gave me another kick start and some energy for the play-off.
You dream of celebrations like that. As a kid, I was throwing fist pumps on a putting green and going mad, so it just felt like it was one of those perfect moments to do it.
