Thriston Lawrence successfully defended the European Masters, prevailing over Paul Casey on the fourth extra hole at Crans-sur-Sierre to claim his latest title. The South African forced the play-off with a bogey-free 62 and closed at 18 under, then finished the sudden-death sequence when Casey failed to convert a short chip on the fourth extra hole.
Lawrence’s victory gives him a third win at the event, a result reported to equal Seve Ballesteros' record at the venue, and confirms back-to-back success at Crans-Montana. After the trophy presentation he admitted the win had hit him hard. "It's probably the most emotion I have ever shown in a happy way," he said. "I fought so hard and just gave it my everything. I feel for Paul, he played great golf and it looked like it was his all day, even in the play-off. He missed a couple of short ones, but it's just the best feeling in the world."
Casey, 49, matched Lawrence on 18 under after a steady final round of two-under 68 but missed several chances that might have ended the contest earlier. He failed to hole a putt on his final regulation hole and missed three further short opportunities during the opening holes of the play-off. The Englishman, who plays on the LIV circuit and had been chasing a first DP World Tour win since the Dubai Desert Classic in January 2021, announced he will donate his $412,500 (£303,543) runners-up cheque to the Fondation Beloved.
The day unfolded dramatically. Casey began with a six-shot lead but hit trouble early, dropping shots on three of the first eight holes including a double-bogey six at the sixth. He then recovered momentum with five birdies across a seven-hole stretch and saved par from a greenside bunker at 16 to claw back the advantage. On 18 his tee shot found thick rough, an approach bounced off a rock and crossed a stream into rough near the green, and a poor chip left him needing a 20-foot putt he did not convert. The 18th hole served as the designated play-off hole.
The first two play-off holes yielded pars from both players, with Casey missing a 10-foot birdie chance on the second. Organisers moved the pin for the third extra hole but neither player conceded, Casey seeing an eight-foot effort lip out before Lawrence sealed victory at the fourth attempt. England’s Harry Hall closed with a 63 to finish third at 17 under, a useful consolation after a strong final round.
Lawrence’s defence underlines his command at Crans-Montana and the tiny margins that separate victory and defeat on the DP World Tour. Casey’s donation and the narrow nature of the outcome will be the immediate talking points as both players and the tournament move on from a finish decided by a handful of short misses.
