World number 13 Branden Grace is not a favourite for the BMW Championship in Indiana this week. Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, and Jason Day have the attention of golf’s pundits.
Grace isn’t playing the penultimate event in the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the $8,5-million prize fund, he’s looking to move up the rankings.
At the end of this week the top 30 players on the points list will progress to the Tour Championship. Grace is ranked 37th, which means the PGA Tour rookie has to do something special.
The young South African’s game is just right for the Pete Dye-designed track, where a top-10 result will get the job done. Finding greens will be the secret to success this week, and Grace is 13th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: approach to the green.
John Daly, as a ninth alternate for the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick, carded four red numbers and lifted the Wanamaker Trophy. His length and accuracy were incredible, helped y a rain-softened course.
It’s 25 years later and rain is once again forecast, which means Grace could produce a surprise victory if he plays target golf. The field couldn’t be stronger and that suits the top-ranked South African just fine.
‘When I tee it up now‚ I feel I can win,’ he said after the PGA Championship. ‘I feel I’m progressing pretty nicely. I’m getting more confident as the Majors go on.’
