South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence has announced he will defend his Joburg Open title as this international Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned tournament moves to its new home at Houghton Golf Club.
Lawrence returns to a tournament where he made Joburg Open and South African golf history last year by becoming the first winner in the new era of the DP World Tour.
The young South African professional has been a perfect example of the Joburg Open’s status as a tournament that opens international doors for its winners.
The victory provided the platform for Lawrence to take his career to the next level as his win also earned him an exemption into his first Major, the historic 150th playing of The Open Championship in St Andrews this year where he finished tied for 42nd. Lawrence also added a second DP World Tour title when he won the Omega European Masters in August this year.
“The Joburg Open is very special to me because it opened so many doors for my career,” said Lawrence. “It was my first DP World Tour title. It also earned me a place in my first Major, which was a lifelong dream come true for me. To play your first-ever Major on the Old Course in St Andrews is an unbelievable dream come true. And then I was able to build on that Joburg Open win and claim my second DP World Tour title this year and secure my place on the Tour.
“It changed everything for me. It was the first stepping stone to getting to my bigger dreams. From a young age, I’ve always wanted to win on the DP World Tour, so I’m extremely grateful for what the Joburg Open has meant to my career and I’m delighted to be able to come back and support the event as the defending champion.”
The Joburg Open will once again tee off the DP World Tour’s new season in this world-class African city, and with Houghton Golf Club joining an array of Johannesburg’s finest golf courses to have hosted this tournament.
“We cannot wait to welcome the eyes of the golf world to the City of Johannesburg and we are extremely proud to be the host for the start of the DP World Tour’s new season. The Joburg Open is a perfect representation of the world-class spirit of Johannesburg and its people, and we are excited to once again host some of the finest golfers in the world,” said executive mayor Dada Morero.
