FIRST MAN TO BE CHAMPION TWO YEARS IN A ROW IN 36 YEARS

LAWRENCE RETAINS SOUTH AFRICAN

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP 

Thriston Lawrence became the first player in 36 years to win the South African men's amateur championship two years in a row at Hermanus Golf Club on the Western Cape today.
Lawrence beat compatriot Altin Van der Merwe by 5 and 4 in the 36-hole final.
Lawrence, never behind at any stage, was three up after the first 18 holes. He then had a run of five birdies to extend his lead to nine holes after 24 holes.
Two birdies saw Van Der Merwe win the 26th and 28th and two more holes, but it wasn’t enough to catch Lawrence, who eventually took the title 5 and 4. 
“It feels really great and this will give me a good confidence boost for the rest of the year,” said a thrilled Lawrence afterwards.
One of the champion's toughest ties during the week was in the quarter-finals where he had to go to the 20th to beat Scott Gibson (Southerness).