Sun City: Branden Grace’s record-breaking round of 62 allowed him to clinch the Nedbank Golf Challenge by one shot, making a 30-foot birdie putt on No. 16 to edge in front and become the first home winner at Sun City in a decade.
Grace’s long putt at the par 3 put him one ahead of playing partner Scott Jamieson and two clear of Victor Dubuisson, who was also part of the final group. Grace made pars on the last two, tapping in on No. 18 for a 66 and his eighth European Tour title, and first since January 2016.
The Nedbank Challenge holds major-like prestige for South Africans, and Sun City hadn’t seen a local player win since Trevor Immelman in 2007.
On clinching victory, Grace raised his arms, closed his eyes, and celebrated with fellow South African players Louis Oosthuizen and Darren Fichardt.
There was also a big hug from Gary Player.
“I think this was probably the loudest applause I’ve ever received coming up the 18th hole,” said the 29-year-old Grace, who grew up a couple hours’ drive away in Pretoria. “It’s awesome. This is really the one I wanted to win. I grew up watching it.”
Scotland’s Jamieson, the overnight leader, finished second at 10 under after a final-round 70. France’s Dubuisson also finished with a 70 and a shot further back in third.
Despite becoming the first man to shoot a 62 at a major when he went 8-under at Royal Birkdale in July, Grace said 2017 had been “a tough year” heading into the Race to Dubai finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the DP World Tour Championship, starting on Thursday.
“I just knew I had to stay patient and had to take my chances when they came,” he said. “I missed a couple of short ones but the big key was 16.”
