![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-07-21T161456Z_169273181_UP1EK7L194UDA_RTRMADP_3_GOLF-OPEN.jpg?width=600)
via Reuters
Golf – The 152nd Open Championship – Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, Scotland, Britain – July 21, 2024 South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence gestures on the 12th hole during the final round REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-07-21T161456Z_169273181_UP1EK7L194UDA_RTRMADP_3_GOLF-OPEN.jpg?width=600)
via Reuters
Golf – The 152nd Open Championship – Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, Scotland, Britain – July 21, 2024 South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence gestures on the 12th hole during the final round REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
Surprises have become synonymous with the 152nd Open. With the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods missing the cut, one thing is clear: expect the unexpected at Royal Troon. An extension of this is the current air in Scotland, which favors Thriston Lawrence. After all, he is all the golf world can talk about.
His powerful swings and sudden rise up the leaderboard have left everyone in awe of his pathbreaking game. Even though he is not in hold of the lead at the time of this writing (as Xander Schauffele rose back up), his heroics give him a promising chance to claim the $3.1 million winner’s prize. A fact that has left the fans shocked.
After all, a win would make Lawrence one of the few very famous South African pros to have won the Claret Jug. This includes the likes of Gary Player, Ernie Els, and even Bobby Locke. Even though the South African pro was already well within the top 100 spots on the OWGR before Troon, a win at the ultimate major of the season remains unimaginable for this 27-year-old pro.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Thriston Lawrence, Xander Schauffele, and Justin Rose are battling at the top of the leaderboard as they play the back nine in the final round of The Open Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland
📸: @ReddersGolf, Luke Walker, Stuart Franklin pic.twitter.com/HcMwfTBSf8— Getty Images Sport (@GettySport) July 21, 2024
Polls of the day
Poll 1 of 5
What impressed you the most about Thriston Lawrence's rise at The Open Championship?
His resilience
His skill
His underdog story
His mental toughness
How crucial is a caddie's role in a golfer's success?
Extremely important
Somewhat important
Not important at all
Depends on the golfer
Whats your Perspective on:
Thriston Lawrence's rise at The Open—fluke or the start of a new golf legend?
Have an interesting take?
Do you think Donald Trump should be more involved in LIV Golf?
Absolutely
No way
Maybe
Who cares?
What do you think of Billy Horschel's decision to wear the BDO logo at The Open Championship?
Smart business move
Distraction from the game
Great way to honor a sponsor
Unnecessary branding
Lawrence’s climb-up glory through his performance at Royal Troon made fans carve a deeper soft spot for him. Fans joined hands to estimate what it would be like to see Lawrence emerge victorious. Albeit unlikely, lovers of the game would love to see how all unfolds. So what did the fans have to say?
Thriston Lawrence’s climb back to glory leaves fans shocked
The 27 YO’s game at the Open has made him a sight to be remembered. Even though he was 98th on the Official World Golf Ranking before his appearance at Royal Troon, a finish in the top few is still a surprise. After all, even the most popular faces on Tour could not face the challenge that Royal Troon provided. But this South African giant proved all assumptions wrong.
Fans were in awe and their comments were proof. One shocked fan commented, “Thriston Lawrence will be one of the most unlikely win ever, “At majors, fans mostly expect top players of DPWT or PGA Tour to perform well, and not a lesser known player.
Other comments were on similar lines too, “…Thriston Lawrence, really? We gonna let this happen?” “Thriston Lawrence would be, no doubt, an off-the-radar, surprise, upset winner of a major. And he’s still a top 100 golfer in the world,” and “I’ve done the math and if Lawrence wins, he would become the most famous Thriston of all time. Stakes couldn’t be higher.” After all, there are not many famous players that go by the name of Thriston, are there?
His skills caught the attention of the golf world. After all, the supreme swings and incredible finish is worth noting. The way Lawrence teed up with no stress and mistakes caught the attention of the golf world. His calm composure made him a sight to remember.
Fans left comments saying, “Thriston Lawrence has been both great and unflappable. Xander Schauffele keeps playing every hole perfectly. This is going to be an incredible finish,” and “Thriston Lawrence looks like he’s just playing a casual round with his buddies. Literally no stress or mistakes. Ripping driver off every tee, relaxed af. #TheOpen”
While Xander Schauffele tops the charts, the no-stress swings that Lawrence presents at a stage so important are worldly.
Debate
Thriston Lawrence's rise at The Open—fluke or the start of a new golf legend?