Branden Grace is aiming for nothing less than a victory at this week’s Nedbank Golf Challenge after finishing in a share of third last year.
READ: Our picks to win the 2017 NGC
‘It’s great to be back,’ the seven-time European Tour winner told the media on Wednesday.
‘I have played well here the last couple of years, and hopefully I can go one better here this year. I have had a few victories at home, so it’s always a lot sweeter at home, and I love being at Sun City.’
He is justified to feel he can win at the Gary Player Country Club, because while the Nedbank Golf Challenge title has proven elusive to South African players since Trevor Immelman in 2007, Grace finished in third here last year, and he feels a solid start to the $7.5-million event might bring him the win here he and many others hope for.
QUIZ: How well do you know Africa’s Major?
‘This is one of those events you grow up watching and idolising and dreaming of winning,’ Grace said. ‘I feel like I’ve got a good chance to play well and if I can get myself in contention, you never know. Coming to play in your home country always makes things extra’-special, and like I said, I feel like if I play well I have a good chance around here.’
Grace has recorded some good results in the last five months on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour. Last month alone, on the PGA Tour, he finished in a share of 32nd at the CIMB Classic, tied for 15th at The CJ Cup @Nine Bridges, and had a share of 15th at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions. On the European Tour front, that share of sixth at the 146th Open Championship remains his best finish this season.
‘My game is feeling really good right now,’ said Grace. ‘I’ve had some steady finishes the last couple of weeks. Coming up with two top-15s in the last couple big events on the PGA Tour, which has been great. I also had a week off, which I think was needed. But I’m hitting the ball well and the whole game is in good shape, so I hope to finish off strong this week.’
He feels, as many others do, that it’s about time a South African player wins this tournament.
Grace tees off at 9:55 on Thursday alongside Thorbjorn Olesen and Jordan Smith.
