Amazing Grace secures South Africa double at Volvo Golf Champions
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Branden Grace beat Retief Goosen and Ernie Els at the first play-off hole to win the Volvo Golf Champions at Fancourt.
The victory gave him his second European Tour title in as many weeks and moves into the world’s top 100, as well gaining a healthy lead at the top of the Race to Dubai.
Grace had a chance to win in regulation play, but after playing a great chip shot to four feet on the 72nd hole he made a poor stroke and the putt slid by.
On the first play-off hole, he didn’t make the same mistake. After Goosen and Els could only make par, Grace two-putted from 40 feet for the title.
“I’m really ecstatic,” said Grace. “It’s been a great week and a dream come true winning an event like this in your home town.”
Grace won his first European Tour title at the Joburg Open last week, having qualified for the European Tour via the 2011 Qualifying School last month. He becomes the first player since Fred Couples in 1995 to follow his maiden European Tour victory with another win.
Of his missed putt on the last hole, Grace added: “I would have like to have finished it there and then.
“There was a little bit of nerves. Actually I hit quite a good putt but just misread it a bit. Now I can say I’ve beaten [Els and Goosen] in a play-off and that’s something nice to say.”
Els went round in six under par – the equal best of the day with England’s Robert Rock – to set the clubhouse target, having eagled the 13th and almost chipped in for another at the last.
Goosen also eagled the 13th and birdied three of the last four holes in a round of 70. Grace carded a 71, while Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, who was tied for the lead with one hole to play, hit a wild drive en route to a bogey six that saw him slip to fourth.
Europe Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal shared top spot after starting with two birdies, but slipped back to sixth, while Lawrie and Harrington shot rounds of 74 and 76 respectively.
Volvo Golf Champions leaderboard (SA unless stated)
-12: E Els, R Goosen, B Grace* -11: N Colsaerts (Bel) -10: C Schwartzel -8: JM Olazabal (Spa) Selected others -4: P Lawrie (Sco), P Harrington (Ire) -3: R Rock, O Fisher, L Slattery (All Eng) -1: D Clarke (NI) *wins via play-off
