Thriston Lawrence holds on to win South Africa Open

Home favourite Thriston Lawrence held off a spirited charge from Frenchman Clement Sordet to win the DP World Tour's South African Open by one shot in Johannesburg on Sunday.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

Lawrence stuttered to a two-over-par 74 in his final round after dropping five shots in as many holes on the back nine, not helped by a double-bogey on the 15th that allowed Sordet to draw level after the South African had been cruising to the win.

They were neck and neck going into the final two holes, but when Sordet missed a short par putt on the 17th, Lawrence held his nerve to win with a score of 16-under-par, his third tour title having also claimed the Omega European Masters in August.

Northern Irish teenager Tom McKibbin finished on eight-under, eight off the winner in a share of 15th.

He eagled the fifth hole and birdied his last two holes en route to a three-under 69

On Thursday the Holywood 19-year-old shot a hole in one on the par-three 11th.

Waterford's Gary Hurley finished in a tie for 35th on five-under after a 73.

Reflecting on his triumph, a relieved Lawrence said: "There are no remarks column on a scorecard and I managed to get it done.

"Clement was playing really well, I was playing well then made a few mistakes.

"This is what you strive for, being a kid you dream for this moment, to win such a prestigious event in front of an amazing crowd."