South African golfer wins $637,500 after six-shot comeback as rival donates entire prize

• South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence overturned a six-shot deficit to win the Omega European Masters.
• He defeated Paul Casey on the fourth play-off hole after completing a bogey-free final round of 62.
• Lawrence earned €548,226, approximately $637,500, while Casey received €354,735.
• Casey had pledged his entire prize to people affected by the deadly New Year’s Day fire in Crans-Montana.

South African golfer Thriston Lawrence earned approximately $637,500 after overturning a six-shot deficit and defeating England’s Paul Casey in a dramatic four-hole play-off in Switzerland.

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The DP World Tour confirmed that Lawrence completed a bogey-free final round of 62 at the Omega European Masters on Sunday, recording eight birdies to reach 18 under par.

Casey arrived at the final hole with a one-shot advantage but made a bogey, sending the tournament into a play-off at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.

Both golfers made par on the first three additional holes. Lawrence finally secured the title with a birdie on the fourth after Casey missed his attempt from the edge of the green.

The victory delivered an official prize of €548,226, equivalent to approximately $637,500 at the tournament’s reported conversion rate.

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Casey received €354,735, approximately $412,500, for finishing second. He had already pledged to donate his entire tournament prize to people affected by the New Year’s Day fire in Crans-Montana, the Swiss resort hosting the competition.

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The win was Lawrence’s third Omega European Masters title after his victories in 2022 and 2025.

It made the 29-year-old only the second golfer since 1972 to win the event three times, placing him alongside Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros.

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Lawrence began the final round six shots behind Casey after scoring a three-over-par 73 on Saturday. His closing 62 left him with a four-round total of 262 and ultimately forced Casey to respond over the closing holes.

The title was also Lawrence’s sixth DP World Tour victory. He received 835 Race to Dubai points and 24 world-ranking points alongside the prize money.

The tournament carried a total purse of $3.75 million.

Casey’s charitable decision added another dimension to the final round.

The English golfer said before the tournament ended that he would donate whatever he earned to people affected by the fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana.

The pledge was not dependent on him winning. His runner-up position consequently increased the amount available for the donation.

Lawrence’s official earnings should not be treated as his final personal income. Professional golfers may still incur taxes, management charges, travel expenses and payments to their caddies, none of which have been publicly disclosed.