Grace feels he is primed for major win

SOUTH Africa’s Branden Grace secured his fourth top-five finish at a major in his last seven outings at the US PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey on Sunday.

Grace made an early charge in a day when most of the leaders had to play two full rounds after rain and lightning wiped out most of Saturday’s third round.

The Fancourt member shot a third round 66 and a final round 67 to end on nine-under 271 to put himself in contention after faltering during Friday’s second round.

His weekend form shows that the world No 12 thrives in high-pressure situations at majors.

Grace‚ playing two hours ahead of eventual winner Jimmy Walker‚ made an early charge in the final round‚ moving to 10-under through 14 holes.

With two par fives to come‚ getting into the clubhouse at 12-under was a reality.

But Grace missed a three-foot par putt on the 16th and his challenge stalled as he parred the par-five 17th and 18th holes.

“It was fun. On Friday‚ I looked like missing the cut at some stage. It shows I’m capable of fighting back. I played some great golf today [Sunday] just to finish the way I did,” he said.

The 28-year-old Grace‚ who has won seven times on the European tour‚ believes he is edging closer to a major breakthrough.

Grace tied for fourth in last year’s US Open at Chambers Bay. An errant tee shot that went out of bounds on the 16th led to a double bogey and ended his challenge.

He finished third at last year’s PGA Championship at Whistling Straits after a birdie run saw him snapping at eventual winner Jason Day’s heels.

And earlier this year, Grace tied for fifth at the US Open. “I feel I’m progressing pretty nicely‚” Grace said. “I’m getting more confident as the majors go on. I was a little bit disappointed with The Open [at Royal Troon] this year. I thought I played some decent golf‚ but it wasn’t one of those golf courses that really suited me.

“I came here this week and thought it was a place I could do well. When I tee it up now‚ I feel I can win a major. If you are coming into a major with that mindset‚ you know you are going to do well.”