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🇫🇮 Finland /Sports

Golf commentators stunned as star wades into water to hit submerged ball

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • South African golfer Thriston Lawrence waded barefoot into a puddle at the 14th hole of a European Tour event in Switzerland to hit a ball floating almost entirely underwater.
  • The unusual shot reached only a few meters before dropping back into the water, but Lawrence later shot 62 to force a playoff.
  • Lawrence defeated England’s Paul Casey on the fourth playoff hole to win the event for the third time, following victories in 2022 and 2025.

Thriston Lawrence took off his shoes and socks, rolled up his trouser legs and stepped barefoot into a puddle to play a golf ball that was almost completely covered by water.

The extraordinary attempt came at the 14th hole of a European Tour event in Switzerland. Golf commentators struggled to believe what they were seeing. “He can’t be trying to hit that?” Peter Hedblom said during Viaplay’s broadcast, according to Expressen.

“Thriston, what are you doing? This is one of the strangest shot choices I’ve seen in a long time,” another commentator said before Lawrence took the shot. The defending champion did make contact, but the ball rose only a few meters before splashing back into the water almost where it had started. The 29-year-old did not attempt the unusual shot again.

He can’t be trying to hit that?

· Peter HedblomThe commentator reacted to Lawrence stepping into the puddle during the broadcast.

Lawrence recovered from a poor 73 on Saturday with the best round of the final day on Sunday. His 62, eight under par, put him into a playoff for the title. He then beat England’s Paul Casey on the fourth playoff hole.

The victory gave Lawrence his third title in the same Swiss event, after wins in 2022 and 2025. It was his sixth European Tour victory overall.

Thriston, what are you doing? This is one of the strangest shot choices I’ve seen in a long time.

· Unidentified commentatorThe commentator questioned Lawrence’s decision before the water shot.
About this summary

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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