Paul Casey was left to rue missing no fewer than four opportunities to win the Omega European Masters before losing to defending champion Thriston Lawrence at the fourth play-off hole.
South Africa’s Lawrence produced a stunning eight-under-par 62 to close a six-hole gap on Casey at the start of the final day and force extra holes at Crans-sur-Sierre in Switzerland.
Casey missed a par putt to win the tournament on the 18th hole in regulation play and then missed birdie putts from inside 20 feet at each of the first three holes in the play-off and Lawrence made him pay with a brilliant birdie on the fourth extra hole to win the event for the third time.
Clubhouse target
Lawrence had led the tournament after two rounds, but a disappointing three-over-par 73 on Saturday saw him tumble six shots behind Casey. However, he responded in brilliant fashion on Sunday, posting eight birdies in a blemish-free round to set the clubhouse target at 18 under.
Casey struggled on the front nine, recording bogeys on the par-three third and eighth holes on top of a double bogey at the sixth when he sent his second shot out of bounds.
However, he responded with his third birdie of the day on the ninth and added four more in the next six holes to move one shot clear of Lawrence with three holes to play. He saved par with a fine putt on the 16th, but there was drama on the 72nd hole when his second shot out of the rough remarkably bounced over the water and just shy of the green.
However, a difficult lie left him with a 20-foot putt for victory which he agonisingly missed to leave him two under par for the round and facing the play-off against Lawrence.
Play-off drama
The two players produced pars at each of the first three extra holes, though Casey will particularly regret missing a 10-foot birdie putt at the second and an eight-foot opportunity at the third.
The 49-year-old Englishman, who had been competing on the LIV Golf circuit for the past four years, was seeking to win his first DP World Tour event in five years, but after his birdie putt on the fourth play-off hole came up well short, Lawrence punished him by draining a birdie putt from 20 feet to seal a memorable victory.
I can’t believe it; I fought so hard today and just gave it my everything,” Lawrence added. “I feel for Paul. He played great golf and it looked like it was his all day. Even in the play-off, he missed a couple of short ones. But winning this tournament again, and to match Seve’s record in this event, is just the best feeling in the world.”
