Thriston Lawrence is confident he can still chase down Rory McIlroy and produce "something special" to win the Race to Dubai crown as the DP World Tour Play-Offs begin at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
With a season-high nine top tens, including five runner-up finishes, the South African arrives in Yas Links for the return of the Rolex Series as the closest challenger to McIlroy in the season-long competition to crown the DP World Tour’s Number One player.
As part of the DP World Tour's Strategic Alliance with the PGA TOUR, Lawrence knows he will also continue his career development as a dual member next season by finishing as one of the top ten DP World Tour members on the Rankings and is intent on a strong finish to the campaign.
"The last two years, I was like 19th and 14th going into the last two events [of the season]," Lawrence said.
"I know Rory is a couple of points ahead but it's not going to stop me to try and catch him. I know I'm good enough to win both events going into the final.
"So, it's always good to see my name up there, and I'm very proud of myself how I kept calm this year, running up five times, not getting a victory. There are two [events] left and hopefully I can do something special in the last two."
Since becoming the first winner of the DP World Tour era with his maiden success at the Joburg Open in 2021, Lawrence has gone on to win three further times and is assured of reaching the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai for a third consecutive year.
And while this year a victory have proven elusive so far, the 27-year-old is pleased with the consistent high levels he has reached this year.
"I think I probably played better than the last two years," he said. "Obviously winning would be nice.
"Winning is special and it doesn't happen often. But I think making a lot of cuts and giving yourself opportunities on Sundays is still good enough in my books.
Lawrence will play alongside four-time Major winner McIlroy, who is aiming to match the late, great Seve Ballesteros' haul of six quotes, and Denmark's Rasmus Højgaard over the opening two days as the top-three ranked players in the season-long standings tee it up together in Abu Dhabi.
"I haven't played with Rory to be honest," said Lawrence, who lost in a play-off at the BMW PGA Championship in September that also featured winner Billy Horschel and McIlroy.
"Played with him that one hole in a playoff at Wentworth. Really, really excited. I think he's probably the best golfer golf has seen the last 15 years.
"That's sort of where I see myself going forward is being so consistent every year and contending on both tours. And Rasmus, good player, nice guy, as well, so very excited for the next few days."
