Massive wins for Lawrence and Buhai

THRISTON Lawrence endured a roller-coaster final round to win the SA Open by one shot at Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate in Johannesburg yesterday.

Lawrence fired a closing twoover-par 74 to end on 16-under, one stroke ahead of France’s Clement Sordet. Sweden’s Jens Fahbring was third on 14-under.

Beginning the final round with a two-shot lead, Lawrence had increased that advantage to five with eight holes left.

However, a string of dropped shots saw him play holes 12 to 16 in five-over-par as he was joined by Sordet on 16-under with two holes to play.

Fortunately for Lawrence, Sordet dropped a shot on the par three 17th which allowed the now three-time DP World Tour (DPWT) winner to close out his tournament with two pars to claim the heart-pumping victory.

“It’s not over until the fat lady sings,” said Lawrence afterwards, “and I got a little conservative over the closing stretch and it cost me.

“I managed to hang in there, it’s what you strive for and play for every day. Being a kid (in South Africa) you dream of this moment. I’m just so pleased, words can’t describe it.”

The next best South African on the leaderboard was Dean Burmester on 10-under for the week in a share of fifth place. The 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel also had a good week with a nine-under total in a tie for ninth.

Meanwhile, Christiaan Maas ended on five-under for the tournament in 35th place as he claimed the Freddie Tait Cup for the leading amateur.

Earlier yesterday, South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai won the women’s component of the inaugural dual gender Australian Open by a stroke from Shin Jiyai.

Buhai, the world No 28, led by four shots at one stage but had to withstand a big finish from the South Korean, who had an eight-foot putt on the final hole to force a playoff, only to narrowly miss.

Australia’s Grace Kim was tied for the lead going to the 18th hole before a double-bogey seven dashed her late flurry.

Buhai carded four birdies and five bogeys to finish with one-over 73, but it was still enough to claim victory.

“It’s the cherry on the top,” Buhai said. “And to have my husband Dave on the bag, it’s very special to be able to celebrate together.

“He was good today. It was a bit easier for him being inside the ropes than outside the ropes. You’re a little bit more in control.

“Got lots of friends and family here, it’s very cool.”