Branden Grace claims Nedbank Golf Challenge title
Published:
Branden Grace produced a thrilling final-round performance in the penultimate Race to Dubai event to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player by a single shot.
Starting the day three shots back, Grace fired a bogey free final round of 66 to finish one-shot clear of playing partner Scott Jamieson and move in to the top 10 in the Race to Dubai standings.
The World No.44 delighted the home crowds during a strong-field at the Gary Player Country Club, taking the seventh Rolex Series title and becoming the first winner to hit all 18 greens in regulation in a European Tour event since 2014.
“This is awesome,” Grace said after his victory. “This is the one event that as a South African you want to win. It’s Africa’s Major for a reason and what a special place it is.
“There’s a lot of history and a lot of great winners on the trophy and I’m very glad to be able to put my name on the trophy as well.
“It’s a very special week, we found out on Wednesday we’re having a boy.
“I had to stay patient and I had to take the chances when they came my way. I missed a couple of short ones but I think the big key was the putt on 16.”
Watch the huge putt Grace made on 16 for birdie
Grace picked up three shots on the front nine with birdies on the 2nd, 5th and 6th holes, and the gap closed further when Jamieson double-bogeyed the 8th hole to hand the lead to their other playing partner Victor Dubuisson.
All three men birdied the 10th, but by the 15th tee there was a three way tie at the top thanks to a brilliant up-and-down recovery from Jamieson and a more straight-forward birdie gain from Grace.
Dubuisson dropped out of the running with a bogey on the 15th, and Grace missed his opportunity to go one clear. He wouldn’t make the same mistake at the next, though. Jamieson made the par of the week after hitting the hospitality units from the tee on the par-three 16th, but a huge putt from Grace put him in the driving seat – parring the next two holes for victory.
WITB: Branden Grace
Driver: Callaway GBB Epic Sub Zero (9 degrees)
3-wood: Callaway XR 16 Pro (16 degrees)
Utility irons: Callaway Apex UT, 21˚ & 24˚
Irons: Callaway Apex UT (3-4), Callaway X Forged ’13 (5-PW)
Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy Prototype (52, 56 and 60 degrees)
Putter: Odyssey O-Works Jailbird
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
