BRANDEN Grace holed a stunning 40-foot putt on the 16th green to claim a home win at the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player.
The South African entered the final round in Sun City three shots behind Scott Jamieson but a closing bogey-free 66 moved him to 11 under and handed him a one-shot victory over the Scot, who signed for a 70.
Frenchman Victor Dubuisson also recorded a 70 to finish at nine under as the three playing partners produced a dramatic finish to the seventh Rolex Series event of the season on the European Tour.
Grace took advantage of the par five second and hit excellent approaches to birdie the fifth and sixth but was a shot behind Dubuisson at the turn.
The 29-year-old continued to make the most of the par fives and gains on the 10th and 14th put him in a three-way tie at the top before he made that crucial putt to take the title and complete a momentous few days – a week in which he also found out his wife was having a baby boy.
“It’s a dream come true to win at Sun City and to win Africa’s major,” he said at the trophy presentation.
“It’s a very special week, we found out on Wednesday we’re having a boy.
“I had to stay patient and I had to take the chances when they came my way. I missed a couple of short ones but I think the big key was the putt on 16.”
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