Amazing Grace claims Nedbank glory at Sun City
So what happened at the Nedbank Golf Challenge?
Branden Grace produced a phenomenal final round of 66 (6-under) on Sunday at Sun City to take a one shot victory at the Nedbank Challenge.
The South African remained in a three-way tie with Victor Dubuisson and Scott Jamieson with just four holes to play but an incredible 40-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th gave him the slight advantage he needed.
Jamieson saw his chip shot lip out in incredible fashion which would have seen him level at the top of the leaderboard but Grace seized his chance and held the chasing duo at bay.
‘Mr 62‘ then parred home as Jamieson, his closest challenger, faltered to seal his eighth European Tour victory in front of tournament host and South African hero Gary Player.
“This is awesome,” Grace said.
“This is the one event that as a South African you want to win. It’s Africa’s Major for a reason and what a special place it is.
“There’s a lot of history and a lot of great winners on the trophy and I’m very glad to be able to put my name on the trophy as well.
Talking Points
Race to Dubai leader Tommy Fleetwood consolidated his number one spot with a tied 10th place finish and now knows that only Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia can stop him finishing the season at the top of the pile next week.
Darren Fichardt had a very different build-up to the rest of the field at Sun City. Fichardt was the sixth reserve at one point but, after Anthony Wall had to withdraw with a back problem, he was in. The South African, winner of the Joburg Open earlier in the season, had a last-minute drive in the morning, he only got in the car on the off chance of a starting spot.
“I was on the road, stuck between trucks, planning to get to Sun City by 8.30. With about 20km to go I phoned the tournament office and they said they thought I was in the tournament. I said ‘you’ve got to be joking’ and they said no, Wall had pulled out and I was first off at 9am!” he said.
“Having been sixth reserve I hadn’t even prepared for the tournament, I was braaing (barbecuing) until midnight. I’ve hit no balls for the last week-and-a-half, and I didn’t have anything set up. So I was quite rattled, I made a few risky overtakes and just left my car at reception and told them to take my keys. I stood on the first tee [the par-five 10th], it didn’t feel like I was playing in the first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge and I just aimed down the left and told myself to commit to the fade. I nearly missed my first two shots, but then I managed to chip it close, made birdie and then loosened up a bit.”
The scorecard doesn’t paint pictures and all that. Here’s how Nacho Elvira made his par at the par-5 9th. Just a regulation two putts and a five.
"That's the break of the century." ?
When your luck's in… #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/mgAVhDxhId
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 9, 2017
Best Shots
Sunday
Champion. ?@BrandenGrace wins the #NGC2017 with a score of 11 under par.#RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/jTK5lkrIVx
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 12, 2017
Another day, another @MKaymer59 hole-out!
This time from the bunker at 8. pic.twitter.com/4b0jkTM1Um
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 12, 2017
Back-to-back chip-ins for @CA_Schwartzel!#RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/309ZR3xdGf
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 12, 2017
Saturday
Loudest cheer of the week ?
Here's why! #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/iT3ZeHk8SZ
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 11, 2017
Take a bow @MKaymer59! pic.twitter.com/XjHPdqryEI
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 11, 2017
Hunting albatrosses with Alex Noren. ?#RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/xbyxKvFkqU
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 11, 2017
You can always count on Victor to entertain… ?#NGC2017 pic.twitter.com/jWYbtjUuTf
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 11, 2017
Friday
The shot of the day ? pic.twitter.com/bvWjF8kgW1
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 10, 2017
Thursday
Vintage @WestwoodLee ?#NGC2017 pic.twitter.com/l3Tt0LhEup
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 9, 2017
Best Photos
In amongst all the talk of the Big Five, snakes and mongoose it was a tortoise that grabbed Joost Luiten and Chris Wood’s attention. And will likely provide the image for any piece to do with slow play.
The old red-billed Oxpecker and white rhino enjoying Scott Jamieson’s third round
Best/Worst Dressed
Everyone’s a critic and this could easily fall into either category – but I rather like the pool cleaner look. George Michael made his name in this type of get-up so let’s salute Tommy for this look.
Best Tweets
I think this represents well my feeling looking forward to some of the tee shots in sun city tomorrow.. pic.twitter.com/mLbHYc5oX7
— Francesco Molinari (@F_Molinari) November 10, 2017
Happy to finish under par, being +3 through 5 had me feeling like this guy….#NGC2017 #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/QzT0ZUjvew
— Tyrrell Hatton (@TyrrellHatton) November 9, 2017
Great draw for me tomorrow with Dunners and Padraig. Two certainties; They’ll chip and putt me to death, and we’ll be on the clock.
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) November 9, 2017
We challenged Rafa to see how many consecutive putts he could make…
The answer: 27 from 27 ?? pic.twitter.com/jbEWt3r2Y1
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 8, 2017
When a fan fell into some bushes and everyone laughed ?#NGC2017 pic.twitter.com/uqoKOFciPW
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 8, 2017
Hitting balls from your hotel room to the range…
?? @CA_Schwartzel pic.twitter.com/efwvaFgm5U
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 9, 2017
Best Stats
The quality of this golf ?
Grace – 12 holes, 12 Greens in Regulation.
Dubuisson – 12 holes, 12 Greens in Regulation. pic.twitter.com/gjxWK9BEQg— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 12, 2017
Noren's last 3 scores at 10 (including R4 last year):
Eagle. Eagle. Eagle.
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 10, 2017
Three longest courses this season:
7,845 Erin Hills (US Open)
7,833 Gary Player CC (Nedbank GC)
7,657 DLF G&CC (Indian Open) pic.twitter.com/xyaWHo3wnF— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 10, 2017
Your best excuses to make it through the winter
Stop worrying everyone – the 2032 Ryder Cup has a home
‘Last year I was thinking about how I was going to pay the mortgage’
Mark Townsend
Been watching and playing golf since the early 80s and generally still stuck in this period. Huge fan of all things Robert Rock, less so white belts. Handicap of 8, fragile mind and short game
