Mike Lorenzo-Vera, the Frenchman with the trademark ponytail and a heart worn on his sleeve, walked off into the sunset Friday, closing the chapter on a 20-year career on the DP World Tour. And he walked down the final fairway at Crans-sur-Sierre with tears in his eyes and his children by his side.
This wasn’t just any old course, and it sure wasn’t just another tournament. This was Crans-sur-Sierre in Switzerland—the exact place where his father tragically passed away during the 2015 Omega European Masters. So for Lorenzo-Vera, this week was personal. Emotional. Full circle.
One Final Walk, One Final Missed Cut
The 40-year-old had hoped for something a little more poetic in terms of performance, but golf didn’t cooperate. He went 73-75 and missed the cut, finishing 8-over. But honestly, it didn’t matter. Because when he walked up the final fairway, it was a moment.
“I Played Like S*, But I Was With My Family”**
“It was amazing to have all my family here,” he said, fighting back emotion, “but I played like s***.” Brutally honest, as ever. “I hit the ball everywhere, but at least I was with my friends and family.” That’s Mike Lorenzo-Vera in a nutshell—gritty, real, and never afraid to show the raw side of golf.
This was his 285th start on the DP World Tour. No wins. But get this—32 top 10s and five runner-up finishes. He had his big breakthrough in 2007 on the Challenge Tour, but in a sport where only the winners are remembered, Lorenzo-Vera was one of the great “what ifs.” Still, he carved out a career built on personality, passion, and a love for the grind.
A Quiet Climb to the World Stage
He even reached a career-high of 64th in the world rankings back in 2020, made seven appearances in majors, and put up a T16 at Bethpage during the 2019 PGA—right where next month’s Ryder Cup will be held. Talk about timing.
In recent years, though, he stepped away to protect his mental health—a bold and admirable move in a profession that rarely gives players space to breathe. And earlier this year, he confirmed he’d be calling it quits. This week was his farewell. His tribute to his late father. His bow to the fans.
A Voice That Won’t Be Silenced
He’s been outspoken, too—especially about the LIV Golf drama, slamming the defections from the DP World Tour and PGA Tour when money talks got louder than legacy.
But don’t count him out just yet—he’s expected to stay close to the action with commentary duties lined up, possibly as soon as the BMW PGA at Wentworth in two weeks. And honestly, the tour could use a voice like his. Honest, passionate, and completely unfiltered.
So yeah, Friday marked the end of a playing career—but maybe, just maybe, the beginning of something even more powerful off the course. Golf needs characters like Mike Lorenzo-Vera.
