Lawrence elated after special SA Open triumph: 'Hopefully, many more wins to come'

South African golfer Thriston Lawrence admits that experience helped him seal his third DP World Tour title on Sunday at the Investec South African Open at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate.

Lawrence had a five-shot lead heading into the final round and carded a two-over 74 to get over the line by one stroke at 16-under par. 

READ | Thriston Lawrence holds nerve for SA Open victory: 'You don't want to disappoint' 

On the final hole, Lawrence had a one-stroke lead over Frenchman Clement Sordet and could afford a three-putt from the fringe to the green to clinch his national Open title.

This isn't the first title Lawrence has had to show nerves of steel to clinch victory. In August, he sealed a dramatic playoff triumph to beat Englishman Matt Wallace at the European Masters in Switzerland.

Lawrence, who was a two-time SA Amateur champion and became the only South African amateur to win the prestigious Lytham Trophy in 2014, believes winning in dire situations comes with experience.

"Inside, not always. I think it comes with experience, once you're in situations like this, you get older in that sense," Lawrence told reporters in Lanseria on Sunday.

"You know, once you're in final pairings and when you come up down the stretch on 18, and once you win, it all adds up to the experience.

"It's big mentally, you try to tell yourself to think of the present and not of the past. It took me a long time, I was a bit aggressive when I was younger, it took me time to get my mentality to where it is at the moment."

This SA Open win sees Lawrence earn a deserved €242 179 (R4.4 million) for his victory and sees him climb up to a career-best World Golf Ranking position.

"Unbelievable. It's a dream come true for me. This is the one you want to