Grace in bullish mood
Branden Grace will make his second appearance at the Nedbank Golf Challenge this week and he is determined to become the first South African to win the tournament in eight years.
Speaking ahead of South Africa's most lucrative golf tournament Grace told SuperSport: "I’ve been playing well. During the last five events, I’ve been getting inside the top ten and top five – just not finishing it off, so I hope I’ve gained a little bit more experience coming into this one… I’ve had a hell of a year."
The 27 year-old has had a solid season on the PGA Tour making eleven out of thirteen cuts and concluding the season with a record of four top ten finishes. He narrowly missed out on glory at The US Open after he pushed his drive out of bounds on the 16th hole at Chambers Bay when he was tied for the lead with Jordan Spieth on Sunday.
Whilst all of the 30-man field will be competing fiercely for victory, it will be the South African players who will be desperate to do their country proud and win on home soil.
Commenting on the importance of having a local champion Grace said: "This is the big one for us South Africans. When we grow up watching golf, this is the one we watch, this is the one you want to win… I hope a South African can lift the trophy this time… If it’s not me then another South African.”
Grace tee's off at 11:16 alongside Steven Bowditch of Australia and Byeong-hun An of Korea.
Latest
-
NewsGolfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month
-
European TourDP World Tour hits members who played inaugural LIV series with £100,000 fines
They have also been banned from several forthcoming tournaments including the Scottish Open.
-
NewsRory McIlroy not impressed as Brooks Koepka becomes latest big name to join LIV
The world number two labelled the players who have joined the new series as “duplicitous” for the way they have handled their breakaway.
-
The OpenR&A confirms LIV Golf Series players will be allowed to compete at Open
The 150th Open Championship will get underway at St Andrews in three weeks’ time.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick turns to other major winners for advice on dealing with fame
Fitzpatrick won the US Open on Sunday.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka set to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series
Koepka’s brother Chase played in the opening event at Centurion Club earlier this month.
-
US OpenGary Player urges Matt Fitzpatrick to avoid ‘poison’ of modern-day coaching
Player tells US Open champion Fitzpatrick to learn from mistakes of recent major winners, saying: “The teaching today is the worst it has ever been.”
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick’s caddie Billy Foster ready for ‘long party’ after US Open win
Foster won his first major after a 40-year career which includes spells working for the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick backed to become a dominant force after winning first major
The Englishman claimed his first major title at Brookline.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick: A Blade with plenty of support who can really cut it
The Sheffield golfer landed his first major – and first professional win in America – at Brookline on Sunday.