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Paul Casey’s attempts to end a five-year title drought were dramatically denied as Thriston Lawrence came out on top in a thrilling play-off to win the Omega European Masters, after the Ryder Cup veteran pledged to donate all his prize money to a charity close to his heart.
The European Masters was being held at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in the Crans-Montana area of Switzerland where 41 people were killed and 115 others injured in a fire in a bar in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
Casey now lives in Switzerland and, following the third round of the event where he held a three-stroke lead, the 49-year-old pledged to give his winnings to the Fondation Beloved – the charity that supports people affected by the fire.
Paul Casey (right) was beaten by Thriston Lawrence (left) after a four-hole play-off (Getty)
“I love this place. I really do, so it was a wonderful day,” Casey had said after Saturday’s third round, when he held a three-stroke lead. “This is now home. I now live in Switzerland, so it would mean an awful lot [to win].
“It feels like a home week for me. And tomorrow, whatever happens, and I hope I win, and I’ll be playing really hard, but I’ll make sure that all my prize money is going to the charity and the victims of the fire here in Crans-Montana. So I’ve got a lot to play for.”
They will receive €354,734 (£304,805) following the Englishman’s runner-up finish after South African Lawrence produced a storming Sunday to deny him a first victory on the DP World Tour since 2021, in the most dramatic fashion.
Casey had led by a shot up the last before defeat (Getty)Lawrence ultimately claimed the trophy for a second straight year (Getty)
Lawrence, who had led at the halfway stage before a Saturday stumble saw him start the final round six shots behind overnight leader Casey, put together a sensational bogey-free 62 to set the clubhouse target of 18-under.
Casey – the former world No 3 who appeared at five Ryder Cups, winning three of them – struggled on the front nine and slipped two behind the South African at one stage before four birdies saw him lead by one heading down the 72nd hole, only to bogey and enter a play-off.
Both men parred the first three extra holes before Lawrence drained a long birdie putt to become only the second player, after Seve Ballesteros, to taste victory on three occasions at the Swiss event following his triumphs in 2022 and 2025.
“This is probably the most emotional [I’ve been on a golf course],” Lawrence said. “I just fought so hard today. I gave it my everything. I feel for Paul; he played great golf and it looked like it was his all day. It’s just the best feeling in the world.
“It’s amazing to play a golf tournament that’s the longest ever [54 years] hosted at the same course [on the DP World Tour]. I never met Seve it’s unbelievable to share that with him.”
Additional reporting by PA
