Thriston Lawrence overhauled Joost Luiten in a tense end to win the BMW International Open by one stroke on Sunday for his fourth European tour title.
Lawrence began the ultimate spherical 4 strokes off the lead however his 3-under 69, mixed with a 2-over 74 for Luiten, was sufficient for the South African to win on 13-under total. Luiten bogeyed the seventeenth and was left needing a birdie on the 18th to pressure a playoff, however he may solely make par.
“It means a lot. I’m a bit emotional, to be honest,” Lawrence mentioned. “This game is not easy. It was a real push today and I really gave it my all. I feel sorry for Joost. I know how tough this game is.”
Lawrence has received all 4 of his titles in simply over a yr and a half, since his first on the European tour and Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned Joburg Open in Nov. 2021. He’s the second South African to win the BMW International Open after Ernie Els in 2013.
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Lawrence’s last spherical Sunday was filled with ups-and-downs with eight birdies and 5 bogeys.
“At some stage, I didn’t think I’m going to make a par,” he mentioned. “It was birdie, bogey, birdie, bogey, just taking, giving.”
Poland’s Adrian Meronk (68), who’s chasing a Ryder Cup spot, was certainly one of 4 tied for third on 11 below, together with Daniel Hillier (71), Rikuya Hoshino (69) and Maximilian Kieffer (68).
The trio one other shot behind included Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (69), who received plaudits for his spectacular tour debut on an invitation after lately ending his faculty golf profession at Oklahoma State.