SA's Thriston Lawrence makes history with third Omega European Masters triumph

Lawrence led at the halfway stage at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, but dropped down the leaderboard on Moving Day following a three-over 73.

He began Sunday's round six shots behind Casey, but a sparkling 62 saw him set the clubhouse target at 18 under which no one could better.

Casey slipped two behind Lawrence at one stage, but four birdies on the back nine saw him lead by one with the 72nd hole to play, only to drop a shot and endure a play-off.

It took four extra holes to decide a winner, but Lawrence came out on top with a birdie after his rival had missed his lengthy effort from the fringe.

As a result, Lawrence joined an exclusive group with the great Ballesteros as the only players to triumph three times in the Swiss event since 1972 following his successes in 2022 and 2025.

"It's crazy, it's probably the most emotion I've ever shown like in a happy way, normally I cry," Lawrence said after successfully defending his crown in the Alps.

"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.

"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."

This was the 11th play-off in the last 19 editions of this event and both players parred the three extra holes before the South African drained the winning 23-foot birdie putt for his place in history alongside Ballesteros.

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