Grace on course for back-to-back triumphs
JOHANNESBURG: Branden Grace launched his bid for backto-back European Tour victories on home soil by firing a leadsharing 65 in the South African Open at Glendower Golf Club near Johannesburg Thursday.
The 29-year-old eight-time winner on the circuit won the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City two months ago, his last appearance on the Tour.
Grace, who is ranked 30 in the world, shares first place at seven under with American Chase Koepka, a brother of reigning US Open champion Brooks, who lies 306 places lower on the merit ladder.
They lead by one stroke from Chris Paisley of England after a day that brought relief to officials as predicted seasonal electrical storms did not arrive.
Of the five former Major winners in the field, South Africans Retief Goosen and Charl Schwartzel did best with 69s.
Compatriot Ernie Els fired a 71, Canadian Mike Weir a 73 and Trevor Immelman of South Africa a 79 over the par-72, 6,942metre/7,594-yard track.
Defending champion Graeme Storm of England, who pipped golf superstar Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland in a play-off last year to win the second oldest national championship after the British Open, carded a 75.
Grace, a South African, had a haywire front nine that included two eagles, two birdies and two bogeys.
A far more settled back nine produced a birdie and another eagle, a record third for Grace during a European Tour round.
“I was a little bit rusty with some of the wedge shots and things like that, but all in all very pleased with the outcome,” said Grace.
“I think I pretty much got the most out of that round. It is a great start to the year. On all the parfives, I hit great tee shots.”
Koepka matched Grace with halves of 32 and 33 as he recovered from bogeying the first hole of each nine.
The American eagled the second, then birdied three of four holes from the fifth and four of five from the 12th.
“I eagled the second and kind of kept it going from there. I just stayed patient after that first hole setback,” he said. -