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.
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