Thriston Lawrence says it “means the world” to snatch Race to Dubai victory from Rory McIlroy by winning the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Lawrence is the only player still able to catch McIlroy in the season standings heading into the final event of the campaign, live on Sky Sportsalthough he needed a win at Jumeirah Golf Estates and for the Northern Irishman to finish outside the top 11.
The South African has five runner-up finishes – including in The Open and the BMW PGA Championship – and five more top-10s during an impressive campaign, leaving him now 1,785 points behind McIlroy with 2,000 available for the championship in Dubai.
“It’s nice to have the opportunity,” Lawrence said in his pre-tournament press conference. “It will take a lot, but it’s just incredible to have the opportunity. I’m very grateful just to be in the top 50 to be able to compete this week.
“It’s been an unbelievable year. Rory (McIlroy) has been my idol since I was young and to win this week would be the cherry on the cake for me.
“It means the world – to be the best golfer on the European Tour this year is an unbelievable achievement. Sitting here now, I’ve achieved a lot of things. But to get this trophy behind me. It will just be unbelievable. “
Lawrence won twice on the DP World Tour in each of his first two seasons and has since moved into the world’s top 50 despite his only 2024 victory on the Sunshine Tour, boasting 27 years of progress as a golfer.
“Consistency has been a highlight,” added Lawrence. “Finishing in the top 10 this year proves that I’m growing as a golfer and I’m more comfortable here.
“Obviously ranking-wise, this is the best season of my life. I won twice in the new year, twice last year. This year, I won on the Sunshine Tour which is very good. I always feel strong. of the golfers at the time of the day, winning in any demo is quite an achievement.
“I haven’t won yet on this tour, but there’s still one event left so maybe my time this week. Where I’m at right now, just feeling comfortable. I feel like I can win every week. Just to see myself grow from the last two years. It’s just unbelievable. “
Lawrence leads race for ‘career-changing’ PGA Tour spot
The top 10 players in the Race to Dubai Rankings – not yet released – after the DP World Tour Championship will also earn PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season, with Lawrence now in pole position and guaranteed dual membership for next season.
Robert MacIntyre was one of the players who benefited from the official lane between the two tours last season, winning twice on the PGA Tour and reaching the Tour Championship, with the Scottish success highlighting the opportunities offered to players.
“Career-changing, 100 percent,” MacIntyre said of joining the PGA Tour. “I’m in a position now where I can vote. I’m now at the top level in professional golf, the top 25 percent of professional golfers.
“You can then choose your schedule and you are in all the main events and you are in all the top events that you can play and you can choose, and where you want.
“Last year I obviously played a lot and because you have to play in the events you play in. I said from the moment the card happened, what an opportunity to reach the top of the world of golf.
“I think the majority of golfers here have that dream, too. There are a lot of guys who can get there.”
Who will win the Race to Dubai? Watch this week’s DP World Tour Championship live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage starts on Thursday at 7am on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or DP World Tour streams and more with NOW.