Thriston Lawrence Takes Halfway Lead in Pursuit of Third European Masters Title

Thriston Lawrence took a two-shot halfway lead at the Omega European Masters with a second-round 63 at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.

The South African made seven birdies on Friday to reach 13-under, completing his opening 36 holes without a bogey. Nacho Elvira and Jeremy Paul are his closest challengers at 11-under, with Keita Nakajima another shot behind.

Lawrence won the tournament in 2022 and 2025. Another victory would make him only the second player, after Seve Ballesteros, to win three times in Crans-Montana since the event joined the DP World Tour schedule in 1972.

He would also become the sixth three-time champion across the tournament’s 103-year history.

Lawrence fires six straight birdies

Beginning on the 20th tee, Lawrence made his first birdie at the par-3 13th before passing up opportunities at the two following par-5s.

Six consecutive birdies across the turn pushed the five-time DP World Tour winner clear of the field, although his bogey-free record required an inventive escape at the 5h. After finding a greenside bunker, Lawrence chipped in to save par and then completed his round with four more pars.

The 63 came after Lawrence had failed to record a top-10 finish since the Hainan Classic in March.

“To be honest, I’ve played well all year,” Lawrence said. “I’ve just been so unfortunate so many times, missing the cut by one shot four or five times.

“I feel like I’ve been playing well, but mentally, I’m in a much better space. Obviously, seeing birdies and seeing putts go in, I feel like you gain confidence from that. Coming back to a place I love is just extra confidence.”

Elvira and Paul lead the pursuit

Elvira, runner-up at The Belfry last week, recorded the lowest round of the tournament with a 62. The Spaniard mixed nine birdies with one bogey, including chip-ins at the 3d and 9th, before making four consecutive gains on his back nine.

Jeremy Paul continued an impressive tournament debut with a 64. The Korn Ferry Tour player recovered from bogeys at the 7th and 9th by making a chip-in eagle at the 15th and covering his closing nine in 29.

Paul has his wife on the bag this week and said their relaxed approach had helped him move into contention.

Nakajima also returned a bogey-free 63 to reach 10-under. Rafa Cabrera-Bello was among those at 9-under after playing the opening two rounds with a makeshift set that included irons used by Adam Scott.

Harry Hall reached 10-under through nine holes before a hip injury disrupted his round. Three bogeys over his final five holes left him at 7-under alongside leading Swiss player Joel Girrbach.

The cut fell at 3-under, with Nicolai Højgaard among the players to miss the weekend.

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