South African golfer Thriston Lawrence has become one of the most exciting players on the international golf scene. The talented professional has made headlines with his impressive performances on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.
At just 28 years old, Lawrence has already achieved remarkable success, including a stunning fourth-place finish at The Open Championship in 2024.
In this article, you will know Thriston Lawrence’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Thriston Lawrence’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thriston Lawrence |
| Date of Birth | December 3, 1996 |
| Age | 28 years old |
| Education | Not specified |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (1.81m) |
| Weight | 214-220 lbs |
| Turned Pro | 2014 |
| Net Worth | Approximately $3 million |
| Career Earnings | $6.69 million (DP World Tour) |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Cara-Lee Compton |
| Instagram Profile | |
| Twitter Profile |
Early Career
Thriston Lawrence’s journey in golf began in the most natural way possible – through his father’s influence. Born in Mbombela, South Africa, Lawrence was introduced to golf by his father Steven Lawrence, who was a PGA professional and owned a pro shop.
This early exposure to the sport created a strong foundation that would serve him well throughout his career.
Lawrence quickly showed exceptional talent as an amateur player. At just 16 years, two months, and 26 days old, he became the youngest champion in the history of the Sanlam South African Amateur Championship in 2013.
This achievement broke a record that had stood since 1991 and immediately put him on the radar of golf enthusiasts across South Africa.
The following year, Lawrence continued his amateur success by winning the South African Amateur Championship again in 2014. However, his most significant amateur achievement came when he became the first South African to win the prestigious Lytham Trophy at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in England.
This victory was particularly meaningful as it took place at the same venue where his idol Ernie Els had won The Open Championship in 2012. Lawrence won the tournament by one shot with rounds of 72, 69, 72, and 68.
Professional Career
Lawrence turned professional in 2014 at the young age of 18. Rather than following the traditional college golf route, he chose to pursue his professional career immediately.
His early professional years involved competing on various developmental tours, including the MENA Tour in 2015 and the Challenge Tour in 2016.
His first professional breakthrough came in 2015 when he won the MENA Tour Order of Merit and claimed his first professional title at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic.
This victory came in a five-man playoff that included former Open champion Darren Clarke, giving the young South African tremendous confidence.
Lawrence’s career took a significant turn in 2021 when he won his first DP World Tour event at the Joburg Open. The tournament was shortened to 36 holes due to weather and COVID-19 protocols, but Lawrence handled the pressure perfectly, shooting two rounds of 65 to win by four shots. This victory marked the beginning of his rise on the international stage.
In 2022, Lawrence had his breakthrough season, winning the Omega European Masters in Switzerland after defeating Matt Wallace in a playoff.
Later that year, he won the Investec South African Open Championship, climbing to a career-best 64th in the Official World Golf Ranking. His consistent performance throughout 2022 earned him the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award.
Lawrence added his fourth DP World Tour victory in 2023 at the BMW International Open in Germany. Starting the final round four shots behind, he shot 69 to win by one shot ahead of Joost Luiten.
His 2024 season was highlighted by his fourth-place finish at The Open Championship at Royal Troon, where he finished just three shots behind winner Xander Schauffele.
Caddie
Thriston Lawrence’s caddie is Theunis Bezuidenhout, a fellow South African professional golfer who has become much more than just someone who carries the bag.
Bezuidenhout is a former professional golfer who competed on the Sunshine Tour and has firsthand experience of competitive golf at the highest level.
Bezuidenhout earned his 2018 Sunshine Tour card through Q-school, finishing in fifth place after six rounds. Interestingly, Lawrence won that same Q-school by four strokes.
Before joining the Sunshine Tour, Bezuidenhout competed on the Big Easy IGT Challenge Tour, where he won his maiden title at the Race to Q-School in 2017 at Pecanwood Golf and Country Club.
He also won the Big Easy IGT Tour Championship in 2019 with a score of 15-under-par, beating Reinhardt Blaauw on the second playoff hole.
The partnership between Lawrence and Bezuidenhout goes beyond the typical player-caddie relationship. They are close friends who have worked together since at least 2021.
Bezuidenhout has been on the bag for all four of Lawrence’s DP World Tour victories, including the 2021 Joburg Open, the 2022 European Masters, the 2022 South African Open, and the 2023 BMW International Open.
Their friendship and professional partnership was particularly evident during Lawrence’s breakthrough performance at the 2024 Open Championship, where they experienced playing in the final group of a major championship together.
The duo’s success demonstrates how important the right caddie can be in a professional golfer’s career, especially when that caddie understands the pressures and challenges of competitive golf from personal experience.
Girlfriend
Thriston Lawrence is in a relationship with Cara-Lee Compton, a fellow South African who has been his biggest supporter throughout his career. The couple began dating in October 2022, and Compton has been a constant presence at Lawrence’s tournaments.
Compton is highly educated and career-focused in her own right. She studied law at the University of Pretoria and graduated in 2019.
Currently, she works as a Senior Administrator at Apex Group Limited and also has experience in digital media coordination and marketing. Her educational background includes work as an attorney and legal advisor at the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union.
The relationship between Lawrence and Compton appears to be built on mutual support and admiration. Compton regularly attends Lawrence’s tournaments and has been spotted at major events including The Open Championship at Royal Troon and the BMW PGA Championship.
She is very active on social media and often posts about supporting Lawrence during his tournaments.
In December 2023, Compton shared a heartfelt birthday message for Lawrence on social media, writing: “You are my first best love, pal, teammate, dependent, and boyfriend. With your birthday yesterday, I said thank you for a few things, but my biggest prayer every day is just thank you that I get to love you!”. There is no information available about the couple having children at this time.
Thurston Lawrence’s Net Worth Details
Thurston Lawrence’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
| Year | PGA Tour Earnings | Major Championships | Total Estimated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $73,400 | $51,000 | $473,400 |
| 2023 | $119,800 | $68,800 | $919,800 |
| 2024 | $20,350 | $876,000 | $2,195,800 |
| 2025 | $25,376 | – | $125,376 |
Endorsements
Lawrence has secured several valuable endorsement deals that contribute significantly to his overall income. He regularly promotes sponsors including Titleist, Ping Golf Europe, FootJoy, Peter Millar Golf, and Zenith Watches.
As a Ping staff player, Lawrence uses Ping equipment throughout his bag, including the Ping G430 Max driver and various Ping irons. His partnership with Peter Millar Golf provides him with high-end golf apparel for tournaments.
Lawrence also has an exclusive partnership with Doyle HCM, which was announced in 2023. Additionally, he is part of the ADP ambassador program, joining other prominent golfers in representing the brand.
These endorsement deals not only provide financial benefits but also ensure he has access to top-quality equipment and apparel for his professional career.
Career Stats
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| DP World Tour Wins | 4 |
| Sunshine Tour Wins | 4 |
| PGA Tour Wins | 0 |
| Major Championships Top 10s | 1 |
| Best Major Finish | 4th (2024 Open Championship) |
| World Ranking (Peak) | 46th |
| World Ranking (Current) | 90th |
| Amateur Wins | 2 SA Amateur Championships, 1 Lytham Trophy |
| Professional Since | 2014 |
| Career Prize Money (DP World Tour) | $6.69 million |
| PGA Tour Card Status | 2025 season |
| Race to Dubai Best Finish | 3rd (2024) |
FAQs
1. How did Thriston Lawrence start playing golf, and what early milestone highlighted his talent?
He began swinging clubs under guidance of his PGA-pro father, Steven, in Mbombela. At 16 years, two months, 26 days he became the youngest South African Amateur champion, announcing his prodigious ability.
2. How many titles has Lawrence collected on the DP World Tour, and which was his breakthrough victory?
He owns four DP World Tour wins; the breakthrough came at the weather-shortened 2021 Joburg Open, where consecutive 65s delivered a four-stroke triumph and launched his international standing.
3. Who carries Lawrence’s bag on tour, and what unique experience does this caddie bring?
His caddie is longtime friend Theunis Bezuidenhout, a former Sunshine Tour professional who secured his own tour card in 2018, giving Lawrence strategic insights from competitive playing experience.
4. What is Lawrence’s best major championship performance to date, and how did it impact his career?
At the 2024 Open Championship he finished solo fourth, three shots behind the winner; the result secured a 2025 PGA Tour card and elevated him inside the world top-50.
5. How old is Lawrence now, and when did he turn professional?
Born 3 December 1996, he is 28 years old in 2025. Lawrence skipped collegiate golf, turning professional in late 2014, just weeks after celebrating his eighteenth birthday.




