A closing three-over-par 75 on Sunday for Thriston Lawrence in the DP World Tour Championship was not unusual for some of Europe’s leading golfers as they jockeyed for the 10 spots available on the PGA Tour.
Lawrence eventually finished in a share of 30th in the 50-man field, and, while it was not the kind of climax to the great season he wanted, he sewed up third place on the Race to Dubai rankings and got one of those coveted spots.
The title was taken for the third year in a row by Rory McIlroy, who overcame what seems to be a customary back-nine wobble to card a closing three-under 69 to win by two at 15-under. That gave him a Seve Ballesteros-equalling sixth Harry Vardon Trophy for winning the Race to Dubai. Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark climbed one spot on the rankings to overtake Lawrence for second place, and his runner-up spot to McIlroy ensured he will join his twin Nicolai on the PGA Tour next season.
Lawrence and Højgaard will be joined by Paul Waring, Jesper Svensson, Niklas Norgaard, Matteo Manassero, Thorbjørn Olesen, Antoine Rozner, Rikuya Hoshino and Tom McKibbin.
