Lawrence finishes four shots ahead of Clarke to clinch RAK Classic

Sport360 staff 23:43 04/11/2015
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  • Darren Clarke (left) stands next to RAK Classic champion Thriston Lawrence.

    Thriston Lawrence broke through for his maiden MENA Golf Tour title, clinching the Ras Al Khaimah Classic by four shots at Tower Links Golf Club on Wednesday.

    One stroke in front at the start of the day, the 18-year-old prodigy showed great strength of character in getting the job done as he closed with a 69 to reach 12 under par, playing the back nine at four under.

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    The 2016 European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke finished in a four-way tie for second, along with South Africa’s Tyler Hogarty, Spain’s Gabriel Canizares and England’s Michael Downes.

    Another South African MG Keyser was tied for sixth with Craig Hinton of England on seven under.

    But the day simply belonged to Lawrence who overcame a mid-round wobble to get over the line in a first for a South African on the MENA Golf Tour.

    “I am absolutely delighted with the win, which is my first since I turned professional in June last year,” said Lawrence after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for $9,000.

    Clarke, who is the Patron of the MENA Golf Tour, and Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the tour, were also present at the presentation ceremony.

    “This win means a lot to me since it has come against a top-class field and I will cherish it for a long time to come. Darren, we all know, is a great ambassador of the game and it was an honour competing against him,” said the South African from Nelspruit, who made the turn at one over.

    “I panicked a bit when I bogeyed three holes in a row from the seventh, but a birdie on the par-5, 13th when I reached the green in two calmed my nerves. Birdies on the next two holes meant I had a three-shot lead with two holes to go, which was a great confidence boost,” said Lawrence.

    Clarke, winner of the 2011 Open Championship added: “The conditions were tough, but this young lad played brilliantly and deserved to win,” said the 47-year-old Ulsterman, who shot a 71 in the final round.

    Playing in the final group with Lawrence, Morocco’s Faycal Serghini carded a 74 to slip into a tie for eighth on six under, but had the consolation of winning the MENA Division, a good two shots ahead of his compatriot Younes El Hassani.

    Improving with every outing, India’s Rayhan Thomas returned a final round 69 to join England’s James Allan atop the leaderboard in the Amateur Division on five under. Allan with a 67, failed to summon his ‘A’ game when it mattered and settled for a 74.

    The MENA Golf Tour moves to Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club for the season-ending Tour Championship on Monday.

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