Amazing Grace is a record breaker

MARK: Branden Grace BRANDEN GRACE yesterday made golfing history – and admitted he did not know he had done it until his caddie whispered in his ear.

The South African shot an eight-under 62, the lowest score ever in a Major championship.

He broke the previous mark of 63 by making eight birdies and no bogeys, finishing with a par from just off the back of the green on the 18th.

Grace, 29, put it to within two feet for his final putt.

The 62 also broke the course record at Royal Birkdale, set by Jamie Mudd in the fourth round of The Open in 1991.

Grace, who began the day one stroke inside the cut line, ended four under.

He said: “I didn’t know what was going on on the 18th. I honestly didn’t. I was just in the zone, playing hole-to-hole.

“I knew I was playing really well and making the turn in five under was pretty special. I thought if I could make a couple more birdies on the back nine then it was going to be a great score.

“I had no idea that 62 was the lowest ever. Obviously it makes it all just more special.

“I knocked in the two-footer and my caddie, Zack Rasego, came up and said, ‘You’re in the history books’.

“I was like, ‘What are you talking about?

“I think Zack knew earlier but he never said anything. Good on him. I have been with him some time, he’s good. He helped Louis Oosthuizen win The Open at St Andrews in 2010.

“He’s one of the best caddies in the world. He’s an old man now but knows more than I do. He’s a great friend.”

Grace started out on the Asian Tour before joining the European bandwagon and splits his time between his home in South Africa and a house in Manchester.

He said: “I can’t remember when I hit a score like this. I’ve had a couple of five-unders but not a number like this.”

Grace recently made a huge contribution to people back home who lost homes in a brutal fire in a village called Knysna.

He added: “That puts it all in perspective for me really. It was nice to put a smile on a few faces.

“In fact, there was one spectator out there who said ‘Do it for Knysna’. That was great.”