Robert TheodorsonSeeking his third win at Crans-sur-Sierre and looking to defend his title, Thriston Lawrence left everything out on the field, shooting a tournament best 62 by way of a perfect 8-under par day, it was not enough. But life is full of second chances.
54-hole leader Paul Casey gave up his one-stroke advantage and forced a playoff with Lawrence after nearly landing his approach shot on the 18th in the water.
Casey got a lifeline after his ball skipped off some rocks and into the greenside rough, setting himself up for a relatively difficult up and down. An errant chip out of the rough set up a lengthy par putt which Casey had lip out on him.
Lawrence said: “To be honest, it’s a weird feeling. I was fairly fine until it got, when Paul got to 18, I was a bit nervous, you know? You never know what can happen. He can either make birdie, and it’s game over, or he can make double, and I can win it outright.
It was stressful, but you don’t want to wish anything on someone, but I just waited to see what happened, and, you know, I don’t have any control of anything, they do, and what happens out there.
It wasn’t the best feeling in the world, but when I got the opportunity, it definitely, gave me another kick start and some energy for the play-off.”
A playoff would commence.
1st Playoff Hole
Despite both men landing the green on the first playoff hole, both approach shots were rather poor. The result being both men tapping in their par putts.
2nd Playoff Hole
Opting for an iron to tee off on the 392 yard Par 4, Casey played the 18th to perfection with his tee shot landing squarely on the fairway, with his follow up spinning back towards the direction of the flag.
While Lawrence’s approach was highly successful in escaping some nasty rough, his ball ended up a great length behind Casey’s, Thriston would settle for a tap in par.
Having just witnessed Lawrence’s line, Casey wasted his advantage as the ball never came close to dropping in.
3rd Playoff Hole
Casey once again landed the approach closer to the pin as Lawrence’s shot took a harsh bounce and rolled towards the cut against the bleachers. After the miss from Lawrence, Casey stared down his second chance for a victory and lipped out once again. Exhaustion began to set in for the duo and the fans alike.
4th Playoff Hole
Finally, with a long-range birdie putt available to him for a fourth time, Thriston Lawrence put the tournament away and in doing so made history.
Lawrence said: “It’s crazy, it’s probably the most emotion I’ve ever shown like in a happy way, normally I cry. 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.”
The long-awaited conclusion marked a successful title defense as well Lawrence’s 3rd win at the Omega European Masters, tying Seve Ballesteros’ three-win record at Crans-sur-Sierre.
Lawrence said: “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.
I’ve never defended any tournament, so to defend my title, up in Crans, is just the best feeling in the world. Just the character I showed all day, and just to believe in myself, and really give it my all, is just the best feeling.
No matter who joins the field for next season, Lawrence figures to be the clear-cut favorite, even a year ahead of time. For some golfers, they simply own a course, and Lawrence has proved without a doubt that this is favorite.
Lawrence said: “You dream of celebrations like that. As a kid, I was throwing fist pumps on a putting green and going mad, so it just felt like it was one of those perfect moments to do it.
Third place finisher Harry Hall’s 7-under par performance on Championship Sunday was just enough to separate himself from the logjam at T4.
Two-time winner on the 2026 season, Eugenio Chacarra had to great chances to improve his score to at least 19-under par. The two missed opportunities turned out to be relatively short and easy puts.
Both misses resulted in a visibly frustrated Chacarra pondering to himself how in the world could he have possibly missed that. Though not as easy, the same scenario played out on the 18th as well, leaving three strokes on the table.
Though it will go down as a missed opportunity to make a play for a third win, Chacarra remains one of the best on tour and like fellow ex-LIV Golf colleague Patrick Reed, is essentially assured dual membership with the PGA Tour in 2027.
Other Notable Finishes
Joel Girrbach (T9; 15-under par) The lone Swiss member of the field to make the cut, Girrbach maintained three great rounds after an opening day 70. Having a hometown hero finish in the Top 10 was important to locals, and a welcome surprise for an unheralded golfer.
Patrick Reed (T11; 14-under par) The Race to Dubai points leader and two-time winner on the 2026 season will pick up some well-earned additional points to stay atop the leaderboard.
Marco Penge (T18; 11-under par) Penge, an emerging star on multiple tours, ultimately fell short despite four days of solid golf. The Omega European Masters proved to be a tournament where the leaders needed one or two days around the 63-64 mark, and Penge’s best was a Sunday 65.
Sergio Garcia (T30; 9-under par) The 2005 champion could only manage one excellent round, a Friday 63. Garcia has struggled mightily outside LIV in recent years, and will need to build on this showing should his primary league fizzle out in the coming weeks and months.
Ryan Gerard (T30; 9-under par) Everyone expected more from the young upstart PGA Tour star. Gerard’s participation in the tournament was important as most premier golfers often opt to play DP World Tour tournaments after the Omega European Masters. Hopefully Gerard’s invitation will bring bigger names to Switzerland in the future.
Next on tap for the DP World Tour is the Amgen Irish Open (September 10 – 13) at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland.
The elevated purse has attracted some of the PGA Tour’s biggest stars including Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and several participants from The Omega European Masters.
