Lawrence, Bekker fly SA flag high in DP World Tour's finale in Dubai

There will be two South Africans in the star-studded DP World Tour's final event of the season, the Tour Championship in Dubai.

This week, only the top 50 players on the DP World Tour's 2021/22 Race to Dubai standings advanced to the Jumeirah Golf Estate.

This has been a decent season for South African golfers, as Shaun Norris won the Steyn City Championship and Thriston Lawrence won two DP World Tour titles.

Lawrence has had a breakthrough year in his maiden European season, as he became the first winner in the DP World Tour era after winning last year's Joburg Open.

A second triumph followed at the European Masters in Switzerland in August, which saw Lawrence climb up to 89th on the world golf rankings.

The 25-year-old has recorded six top 10s and is currently 11th on the Race to Dubai rankings.

Lawrence comes into the season finale battling with fellow debutant Yannik Paul to be crowned Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year. 

Following this week's finale in Dubai, Lawrence will return home to defend his Joburg Open title, which will commence on 24-27 November at Houghton Golf Club.

The other South African in the field this week is Oliver Bekker, who will also be making his Tour Championship debut this week.

Bekker has had a superb season on the DP World Tour, securing nine top 10 finishes, including losing to Spain's Adri Arnaus in a playoff at the Catalunya Championship.

The 37-year-old finished tied for ninth at the Italian Open in September and saw him sit 33rd on the Race to Dubai rankings.

This week, the SA duo have no chance of topping the Race to Dubai rankings, with Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, New Zealander Ryan Fox and Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick vying to be Europe's No 1.

Featured tee times for Thursday's Round 1 in