Thriston Lawrence has become the first South African to be crowned Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, after a breakthrough season on the DP World Tour that included two wins, six further top-10s and a Major debut.
A previous winner on the Sunshine Tour, the 25-year-old made the perfect start to the 2022 season with victory in the opening tournament, the co-sanctioned Joburg Open, where he is defending his title this week.
His breakthrough victory not only secured a DP World Tour exemption, it also led to his first appearance in a Major as part of The Open Qualifying Series, and he went on to finish inside the top 50 at the 150th Open at St Andrews.
A first professional victory on European soil followed in August when he secured the Omega European Masters title after a play-off with Matt Wallace at Golf Club Crans Montana in Switzerland. That win led to another landmark, as he moved inside the top 100 in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career.
Lawrence racked up six further top-10 finishes, including a tied second finish at the Kenya Open and third place at the Irish Open, on the way to finishing 14th in the DP World Tour’s season-long rankings.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Lawrence, who is currently 90th in the OWGR. “If you look at the names on the trophy, it’s incredible. A year ago, I didn’t even have a category, so when I started off with a victory, it came to mind straight away to go for this award. To have accomplished it is an incredible feeling – I’m very grateful and honoured. Winning twice in my first season on tour was incredible, but it’s not where I want to end. It’s onwards and upwards from here.”