Thriston Lawrence Leads the Pack After Third Round, Focused on Securing Second Joburg Victory

South African golfer Thriston Lawrence holds a commanding 3-shot lead as he heads into the final round of the DP World Tour’s Joburg Open at Houghton Golf Club. His impressive performance on Saturday, with a score of 67, left him at 15 under par, as he aims to reclaim the title he last won in 2021.

The 26-year-old Lawrence began the third round just one shot behind rookie compatriot Nikhil Rama, who managed 72 for the day. Lawrence’s round included four birdies and one bogey on the par-4 sixth hole.

“I had a game plan, to play like I did in the first two rounds, and I executed it,” Lawrence said. “I showed patience and could have gone lower but for a few missed putts.

“There was just about no wind at the end of the round and I felt comfortable that I could take on a lot of holes with the driver.

“Tomorrow it is exactly the same, hopefully I can make a few more putts but I am happy with my game.”

Lawrence has four wins on the tour, including the Joburg Open two years ago when a score of 12 under was enough for victory in a tournament shortened to 36 holes because of bad weather.

He leads second-placed compatriot Dean Burmester (68), with Rama and Jacques Kruyswijk (69) a further shot back at 11 under par.

Rama could not replicate Friday’s 62 as he doubled-bogeyed the par-4 first hole and then had a further 3 dropped shots to go with three birdies.