DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

November 12, 2024

Thriston Lawrence

Jumeirah Golf Estates, Earth Course

Quick Quotes

Q. What would winning the Ryder Cup sit in your goals for your career?

THRISTON LAWRENCE: It would mean the world, being the best golfer on The European Tour over the year is an unbelievably achievement.

So obviously a dream I've always had -- just -- to play on the DP World Tour has been a dream for me. Sitting here right now, I've achieved a lot of things that I've wanted to. But to get this trophy behind me would be just unbelievably.

Q. How are you approaching this week mentally and tactically?

THRISTON LAWRENCE: Mentally, well, I don't think I need to do much mover than I've done the last couple of years. I know the game is there. I think it's just don't chase it too hard from the start. You're going to see guys playing 8-, 9-under on Thursday. It's just telling yourself it's a four-round tournament and trying to make birdies every four or five holes and just think if you can get to 4- or 5-under every round, that's sort of what I need to do, and be aggressive as always. Try to stick to that game plan of not changing and being aggressive and being confident and see how that goes.

Q. Given the consistency that you've shown this year, and it's an important asset in this great game, where does this season rank in your career, do you feel?

THRISTON LAWRENCE: Obviously ranking-wise, the best season I've had in my life. I've won twice in my rookie year, twice last year. This year, I won on the Sunshine Tour which is nice. I always feel like with the strength of golfers in today's time, winning on any tour is quite an achievement.

Yeah, not winning on this tour yet, but still one event left. So maybe it's my time this week. But yeah, it's been an unbelievable year, just seeing how I grew from my rookie season. I've had quite a few cuts missed. A lot of cuts made just on the number.

Where I am now, it just feels comfortable. It feels like I can win every week. Just to see myself grow from two years ago is just unbelievable.

Q. How does it feel to be here at The DP World Tour Championship and be the only player to have the chance of stopping Rory McIlroy from being the DP World Tour's No. 1?

THRISTON LAWRENCE: Yeah, it's quite funny. It's nice to have a chance, obviously. It's going to take a lot. I think I need to win and Rory probably needs to finish outside the top 10. I haven't done the maths yet.

But just incredible to have an opportunity. So I'm very grateful just to be inside the Top-50 to be able to compete this week. It's been an unbelievable year, and yeah, Rory has been an idol for me since growing up as a youngster and being able to clinch it this week would be the cherry on the cake for myself.

Q. What's been the highlight of your season so far?

THRISTON LAWRENCE: Just the consistency has been the highlight. Finishing in the top 10 ten times this year proves that I'm growing as a golfer and I'm getting more comfortable out here. I still get nervy here and there, and it's still not nice to be on the cut line. Doesn't matter how good you are, even with Rory and Scottie and them, I don't think it's easy for them. I think there's a expectation for them. I'm getting to that expectation level for myself but I feel like I need to compete every week and I need to do well every week.

Yeah, it's been good.

Q. How important has your support network contributed to your success?

THRISTON LAWRENCE: A lot. My team has been very small. But my parents, my girlfriend, my caddie, he's the guy I spend time with every day for five or six hours. It's been really good. They are very supportive, very consistent. They don't expect a lot of me. They just support me because this is the game I love.

My parents gave me an opportunity as a kid and drove me around all over South Africa to take me to tournaments. That's the way it started. I'm lucky to have them here this week and to see me hopefully lift this trophy behind me. It's been amazing.

Q. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your season, and why?

THRISTON LAWRENCE: I would say it's probably a 9 out of 10. 10 out of 10 would be if I had a victory in there, or to win The Race to Dubai, finishing second worst case would be definitely a 9 out of 10. I've been so consistent. Yes, I've missed a lot of cuts. I think that's one goal that I want to achieve.

Yeah, it's been amazing. I think definitely a nine out of 10. A win this week would maybe notch it up by one.