Sports

Thriston Lawrence One Shot Off US Open Lead at Oakmont

Published

4 months ago

June 13, 2025

Chiraag

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The Mbombela-born golfer makes a confident charge in only his second US Open appearance.

Taming Oakmont requires more than talent – it demands guts, precision, and a short game sharp enough to survive one of golf’s toughest tests. On Thursday, South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence showed he has all three.

The Mbombela native carded a superb 3-under-par 67, placing him just one shot behind American JJ Spaun, who leads the 2025 US Open after a sensational bogey-free 66.

Grit, Recovery, and Six Birdies

Lawrence’s round wasn’t flawless, but it was fearless. He suffered a double bogey on the ninth but bounced back with confidence, sinking six birdies on a course that’s famous for humbling even the best in the world.

He ends the day in solo second, ahead of former major winners Brooks Koepka, Si Woo Kim, and Sungjae Im, who all sit at two under (68).

Spaun, meanwhile, set the tone early with a chip-in birdie from the rough at the 10th hole, later closing out his front nine in just 31 strokes – tying the lowest first nine ever recorded at a US Open held at Oakmont.

Oakmont Doesn’t Play Favourites

Oakmont Country Club, one of the US Open’s most punishing venues, delivered as expected: slick greens, punishing bunkers, and no room for error. On a day when only 10 players finished under par, simply surviving the round was an achievement.

That reality hit some of the sport’s giants hard: Masters champion Rory McIlroy struggled to a 74 (+4), while world number one Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau both carded 73s (+3).

Lawrence, in contrast, played smart, stayed patient, and capitalised on rare birdie chances – without letting setbacks shake his momentum.

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Image 1: Titleist

South Africa’s Next Big Hope?

This is just Lawrence’s second appearance at a US Open, but his performance on day one has already made waves. A four-time winner on the DP World Tour, he’s often flown under the radar due to visa restrictions limiting his PGA Tour appearances – but he’s wasted no time making his presence felt.

Fans back home in South Africa were quick to take notice. One user on X (formerly Twitter) posted: “Lawrence is putting on a masterclass at Oakmont – while legends fold, he’s climbing.”

Another said: “We’ve found our next major contender. He’s doing us proud.”

More to Play For

Spaun, a 34-year-old American playing just his second US Open, knows it’s early days: “There’s plenty more golf left,” he said after his round, acknowledging the pressure still to come. And the same applies to Lawrence – three rounds of brutal golf remain, and Oakmont only gets tougher from here.

But for now, South African fans can enjoy the moment: one of our own is right in the mix at one of golf’s most unforgiving battlegrounds – and looking every bit like he belongs.