Grace on song at Leopard Creek

European Tour

Branden Grace fired spectacular first round 62 at to take the lead at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

Grace carded 10 birdies in a blemish free round at the Leopard Creek Country Club to open-up a three shot lead over fellow South African Jake Roos who is playing in his first tournament as a full European Tour member.

The 26-year-old Grace has had top-25 finishes in his last six starts, but found another gear as he raced to ten under par.

“I hit the ball superbly from the start to the finish,” said Grace told the European Tour’s official website.

“I can’t remember the last time I hit 18 greens in a row, which is pretty nice, especially around this place where there are some daunting approaches. It’s a good feeling going into the rest of the tournament.”

Meanwhile Roos, who claimed the 15th and last place available on The Race to Dubai via last season’s Challenge Tour, is one clear of last week’s Nedbank Challenge winner Danny Willett who is joined at six under by fellow Matt Ford.

Roos started the day on a very positive note when he holed a five iron for an eagle two at the tenth.”

“I felt comfortable and swung quite nicely,” said Roos.

“I hit a lot of good shots and had a lot of short birdie putts on my front nine, and I was able to take advantage of a couple.

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