Branden Grace takes his place as one of the high-profile names at the Alfred Dunhill Championship and is optimistic of ending the year on a high.
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This week’s 2020 season opener will be Grace’s last of the calendar year before he takes a five-week break, and he is looking forward to getting back out on the course.
‘It’s great to be back,’ said the 2015 champion.
‘I’ve not been on the course yet, but obviously I’ve seen the changes last year, and the changes have been phenomenal.
‘Now the course has settled in a little bit, it’s going to be a different beast.’
The upgrades to the course have presented a few tighter drives to small landing areas which will place a premium on course knowledge and experience in these unique conditions.
‘Not everyone from South Africa – and definitely not the guys from Europe – are quite used to the heat and, secondly, this type of grass.
‘It’s going to be something you have to adapt to and make the most out of, but I’m excited.’
Fellow South African Zander Lombard finished last season 59th in the Race to Dubai Rankings, rounding off his campaign with a strong performance at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, where he finished in a tie for eighth.
He was pleased with his year’s work and is keen to keep it up as the new season begins.
‘It’s amazing what I’ve achieved this year,’ said Lombard. ‘Not just on the course, but off the course too – how I do things, sticking to my processes.
‘It’s been really amazing and it’s worked out for me, so I hope I can keep the trend going into the next season.’
Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images
