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SPORTS Monday 13 noveMber 2017

A home winner at last as Branden Grace triumphs at Sun City

By GERALD IMRAY was sublime tee to green
AP Sports Writer in the final round, hitting
Branden Grace’s record- all 18 greens in regulation.
breaking round of 62 at the He went bogey-free and
British Open has been over- made six birdies, but there
taken for his best memory could have been more if
of 2017. not for the putter letting
South Africa’s Grace won him down. That was until
the Nedbank Golf Chal- No. 16.
lenge by one shot after fin- “I just knew I had to stay
ishing 11-under par on Sun- patient and had to take
day, making a 30-foot bird- my chances when they
ie putt on No. 16 to edge in came,” he said. “I missed
front and become the first a couple of short ones but
home winner at Sun City in the big key was 16.”
a decade. Grace, Jamieson and Du-
Grace’s long putt at the buisson arrived at the tee
par 3 put him one ahead on No. 15 all tied for the
of playing partner Scott lead at 10 under and ready
Jamieson and two clear of to take their battle down
Victor Dubuisson, who was the final stretch at Gary
also part of the final group. Player Country Club. Du-
Grace made pars on the buisson dropped back with
last two, tapping in on No. South Africa’s Brandon Grace, right, is sprayed with champagne as he celebrates after winning a bogey there.
18 for a 66 and his eighth the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City, South Africa, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. Jamieson then sliced his
European Tour title, and first Associated Press tee shot at No. 16 way right
since January 2016. “I think this was probably in third. There were reper- ship next weekend, when and the ball disappeared
The Nedbank Challenge the loudest applause I’ve cussions for the European Fleetwood tries to hold on among the hospitality tents
holds major-like prestige ever received coming up Tour’s Race to Dubai title from Justin Rose and Sergio only to bounce back into
for South Africans, and Sun the 18th hole,” said the following the penultimate Garcia. view and settle behind a
City hadn’t seen a local 29-year-old Grace, who tournament of the season. Despite becoming the first bunker. His chip over the
player win since Trevor Im- grew up a couple hours’ Race to Dubai leader Tom- man to shoot a 62 at a ma- trap lipped out of the cup,
melman in 2007. drive away in Pretoria. “It’s my Fleetwood carded a jor when he went 8 under nearly giving him a spec-
On clinching victory, Grace awesome. This is really the 1-under 71 to finish 3 under at Royal Birkdale in July, tacular birdie.
raised his arms, closed his one I wanted to win. I grew and in a tie for 10th at Sun Grace said 2017 had been Grace drilled his long putt
eyes, and leaned back as up watching it.” City, where a win would “a tough year.” into the middle of the hole,
he was sprayed with cham- Scotland’s Jamieson, the have sealed the season He had a tough day on though, and reacted with
pagne by fellow South Af- overnight leader, finished title for the Englishman. It Friday, too, carding 75. He a low fist pump and a shout
rican players Louis Oosthui- second at 10 under after a means the Race to Dubai was back in the frame with of joy. He said he and his
zen and Darren Fichardt. final-round 70. France’s Du- will be a three-player race a third-round 68, but still pregnant wife found out on
There was also a big hug buisson also finished with a in Dubai at the season-end- started Sunday three shots Wednesday that they were
from Gary Player. 70 and a shot further back ing World Tour Champion- behind Jamieson. Grace expecting a boy.q