2012 Joburg open: Branden Grace earns his first victory on the European Tour – Golf News
Branden Grace held his nerve on the final day of the Joburg Open to romp a one-stroke victory over Jamie Elson at Royal Johannesburg golf club.
Grace recorded a par 72 round on the final day, which included 16 pars, one bogey and one birdie on the 18 holes that he played.
On the other hand, Englishman Jamie Elson fired in the final round and surged to the second place with seven birdies and a spectacular eagle on the par-5 18th.
He was unlucky to reach the second place even after a superb round compared to Grace, who only managed a single birdie.
Grace, who made his 50th start on the European Tour, recorded his first win on the European Tour and became the 30th South African to achieve this position.
Although he displayed an average game on the final day, he was delighted with his overall performance on the course.
Moreover, he was pleased to take the title on his home soil, as it resulted in cheering up his home fans in South Africa.
"This is a dream come true, it's nice to win in front of a home crowd and I wouldn't change it for anything else," the delighted South African stated afterwards.
Two shots further to Elson, on 14-under par 273, it was a six-way tie among four home players, Jаcо Van Zyl, Mіchіel Bоthmа, Dаwe Van Der Walt and Trevor Fisher Jr., and two other Scottish players, David Drysdаle and Marc Warren.
Overall, Elson was the only player on the field to challenge Grace on the leaderboard. When Elson managed to fire six birdies in a row on the front nine, it seemed as if he will catch up with Grace in no time.
However, his performance on the back nine was not as good as it was on the front nine. An eagle in the end was not enough to lead him to the playoffs.
Grace has now secured one year’s exemption on the European Tour with this win and it will certainly help him boost his morale in the upcoming events.
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