Grace maintains winning run

European Tour

Branden Grace was victorious for the fifth time this year, winning the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews by two shots.

Branden Grace was victorious for the fifth time this year, winning the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews by two shots from Thorbjorn Olesen.

The South African lead the event from start to finish after shooting record-equalling 60 at Kingsbarns earlier.

Even though the Dane Oleson caught the 24-year-old from Pretoria with seven holes to go, Grace responded with three consecutive birdies and another on the final hole to finish on a tournament record-equaling 22-under par.

Grace, who has risen from outside the world’s top 300 to inside the top 40 within a year, was visibly happy with his victory.

“It was a tough day, but the putter started working and that’s all I needed to do, but it feels awesome,” Grace commented.

Alexander Noren was in third place two shots further back, while Joel Sjoholm was finished two more shots back in fourth.

The 2004 winner Stephen Gallacher was on fourth place with hopes of still catching the leaders before incurring a two-stroke penalty when he played the wrong ball on the 16th, to finish in a seven-way tie for fifth.

Of the local Irish players, Padraig Harrington was the best with 10-under, while Shane Lowry ended one shot further back.

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