Former champion Lawrence surges into three-shot lead at Joburg Open
South Africa's carded a superb 62 to claim the lead after day one of the Joburg Open
Former champion Thriston Lawrence carded a superb 62 to claim the lead after day one of the Joburg Open.
Lawrence birdied five of the first six holes at Houghton Golf Club and picked up three more shots on the back nine to finish eight under par, three shots ahead of fellow South African Nikhil Rama.
Defending champion Dan Bradbury was part of a 10-way tie for third on four under, which included compatriot Andy Sullivan, Scotland's Stephen Gallacher and Welshman Stuart Manley.
Lawrence credited a "hot putter" for his brilliant round, which came just four days after he narrowly missed out on claiming one of the 10 PGA Tour cards on offer for the highest finishers in the Race to Dubai who are not already exempt.
"It's unfortunate but you're going to miss a lot of cuts by one shot, you're going to finish second by one quite a few times," Lawrence told Sky Sports.
"It happens in life, we're used to it. There's a long way to go until the end of the year to get one of those 10 cards but I'm just out here trying to do my job and enjoy it.
"It's definitely nice to be in South Africa and be home and play these events."
Bradbury, who led from start to finish in just his third DP World Tour event 12 months ago after receiving a last-minute sponsor's invite, carded an eagle, three birdies and a solitary bogey in his 66.
"It's a 66 so I can't really say I'm unhappy," Bradbury said.
"There was a lot of good golf in there. It felt like a couple of times I didn't get rewarded for that so it could have been a couple better, but hopefully the putts will drop tomorrow.
"I'm tired to be honest, but I've been playing good golf so it kind of carries you through. I think if you start struggling it'll be harder to recover but I'm playing fine at the minute and, as long as I am, I'll keep playing."
Meanwhile, former Ryder Cup player Bernd Wiesberger has been granted membership of the DP World Tour after two seasons with LIV Golf.
Wiesberger became a "free agent" after finishing a lowly 41st on the Saudi-funded breakaway this year, but has opted to return to the circuit where he won eight times between 2012 and 2021.
The 38-year-old, who lost all three of his matches at Whistling Straits in 2021, has served the tournament suspensions and paid the fines which players were handed for playing in LIV Golf events without permission.
"Bernd Wiesberger's application for membership for the 2024 season has been accepted by the DP World Tour," the Tour said in a statement.
"Wiesberger's membership ceased and he was removed from the Race to Dubai after he failed to comply with the Tour's minimum counting event regulation for the 2023 season, having played in only two counting tournaments - the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
"He subsequently expressed his desire to play a full DP World Tour schedule in 2024 and has fulfilled all sanctions - both financial and tournament suspensions - that were imposed upon him for breaches of the Tour's conflicting event regulation across 2022 and 2023.
"Consequently, his request for reinstatement has been granted by DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley, in accordance with the procedure set out in the members' regulations.
"Wiesberger will be exempt in Category 11 (career money list) for the 2024 season."
Wiesberger wrote on social media: "I am happy to announce that my focus for next year will entirely be on the DP World Tour next year.
"I have never resigned my membership and therefore I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to play a full schedule once again."
