Thriston Lawrence turned on the charm on Thursday with a superb eight-under-par 62 to take a share of the first-round lead of the DP World Tour’s Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club at Crans Montana, Switzerland.
Lawrence, the Joburg Open champion, made an eagle and six birdies to share the lead with Spain’s Alejandro Canizares, who had nine birdies and a bogey in his round. They led by two from Scott Jamieson of Scotland, England’s Matt Wallace, another Spaniard, Eduardo de la Riva and South Africa’s Louis de Jager.
De Jager also had a bogey-free round, with an eagle and four birdies on his card.
In a good day for South Africans, George Coetzee and Darren Fichardt each signed for five-under-par 65 for a share of seventh, and Oliver Bekker had a four-under 66 to be in a share of 15th.
Behind them, Wilco Nienaber had a one-under 69 for a share of 54th, together with Daniel van Tonder and Tristen Strydom, who is starting his second DP World Tour event in two weeks. Hennie du Plessis was on level-par, Thomas Aiken on one-over and Haydn Porteous on two-over. Zander Lombard and Richard Sterne were on six-over, together with Rory Sabbatini.
