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Thriston Lawrence: Image Credit - Sunshine Tour Images

THRISTON Lawrence and Jayden Schaper got their 2026 campaigns off to solid starts after both carded two-under-par 69 in the opening round of the Dubai Invitational, being played at Dubai Creek Resort in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The South African duo are tied for ninth, just three shots off the lead held by Rory McIlroy, who opened with a five-under-par 66.

The 29-year-old Lawrence produced a near-flawless opening round, dropping just a single shot. His only blemish came at the ninth hole, where he made bogey to turn in 36. He followed that with a bogey-free back nine, picking up three birdies at the 11th, 13th and 18th for an inward 33. Schaper, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour and the current leader in the Race to Dubai Rankings, carded four birdies and two bogeys. He picked up a birdie at the fourth and dropped a shot at the seventh to go out in 35. On the back nine, he added further birdies at the 10th, 11th and 15th before a bogey at the 16th saw him card an inward 34. With Lawrence and Schaper leading the African charge, Jacques Kruyswijk and Dylan Frittelli opened with one-under-par 70s and are tied for 19th.

Shaun Norris carded a one-over-par 72 to sit tied for 32nd, while Dylan Naidoo, tied for 51st, opened with a four-over-par 75. Ockie Strydom struggled to a nine-over-par 80 and is in 59th position.