Amazing Grace up for Challenge
SA HOPE: HE ‘CAN’T WAIT’ TO BASK IN THE HOME WARMTH
Home favourite Branden Grace is excited to tee it up from November 14 to 17 in the Nedbank Golf Challenge, hosted by Gary Player – the seventh Rolex Series event on the 2019 Race to Dubai – as Sun City and Gary Player Country Club celebrate their 40th anniversary.
The South African delighted the home crowds with his eighth European Tour victory two years ago, finishing one stroke ahead of Scott Jamieson, and will be seeking a fourth victory on home soil – adding to his 2012 Joburg Open and 2015 Alfred Dunhill Championship victories.
Set to tee up for the sixth time in Africa’s Major, Grace can’t wait to play golf for the final time in the 2019 Race to Dubai.
“Sun City and Gary Player Country Club is such an iconic venue for South African golfers,” said Grace, who became the first native to win the tournament since Trevor Immelman 10 years before. “This is an event steeped in history, and to win two years ago was very special.
“I have a lot of happy memories from playing there – it’s a demanding, but fair test ... one of the best courses we play all year. I can’t wait to play in front of a home crowd again and I’m hoping for another good week.”
Player said: “It’s wonderful to have Branden back at Sun City. Who can forget his 50-foot putt on the 16th hole in the final round in 2017, which was in my opinion his finest moment of that final round.
“It gave him a one-stroke lead and he carried it on to victory.
“There was immense pressure to end a decade-long drought of SA winners and Branden responded like a true champion.”
Nedbank Group chief executive Mike Brown said: “Former champions add tremendously to the quality of the field. We’re delighted to have Branden back.”
Sun International CEO Anthony Leeming said: “To have our last two champions competing again – Lee Westwood and Branden Grace – is a wonderful endorsement of the quality of our field.
“Grace joins compatriot and Major winner Louis Oosthuizen in a field which also includes Europe’s 2020 Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington and Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and Westwood, who returns to defend his first Rolex Series title.
Westwood also won the Challenge in 2010 and 2011.