It's Joost out of reach

Lawrence motors off with BMW win after Luiten's miss from three feet and says: I feel for him

- BERNIE McGUIRE

THRISTON LAWRENCE cracked open the champers then admitted he felt for his closest foe as a missed three-footer left him to speed off with BMW glory.

Dutchman Joost Luiten went to bed on Saturday night with a three-shot lead at the BMW International summit.

But the 37-year-old awoke to a nightmare in Munich as a two-over 74 opened the door for Lawrence to claim his fourth DP World Tour title by a single shot.

Three bogeys blotted Luiten's fourth-round card, the most excruciating of them seeing him fail to find the cup for par on 17 from three feet.

A wayward drive on the last culminated in him narrowly failing to convert a long-range birdie attempt which would have forced a play-off.

Lawrence's round was far from straightforward either, carding eight birdies, five bogeys and five pars in a 69 as he finished on 13-under 275.

The South African had not recorded a top-10 finish since his last win on home soil in December and fought back tears after his victory.

The 26-year-old, who had started the day four back from Luiten, said: "It means a lot.

"I'm a bit emotional, to be honest. I went to America for six weeks, made one cut.

"This game is not easy. It was a real boost today and I really gave it my all.