Paisley denies Grace for breakthrough win in South Africa

So what happened at the SA Open?

Everyone expected this to be Branden Grace’s day. On home soil, eight wins on the European Tour and five birdies in his last eight holes coming into the Sunday at Glendower.

Chris Paisley led by one but his last win was on the Challenge Tour in 2012 and his caddie was a first-timer on the bag and was someone, in the player’s words, ‘doesn’t know much about golf’.

But with his wife Keri on the bag the Englishman not only withstood Grace’s birdie-eagle start he put together a bogey-free 66 to win by three, his first victory on the European Tour at the age of 31.

“I still can’t believe it. Going head-to-head against Branden, in his home country with pretty much everyone in the crowd on his side was tough but I just played great. I played out of my skin. I didn’t even think I was capable of playing that well to be honest, and to come out on top in such a wonderful place is amazing,” explained Paisley.

Paisley holed a 30-footer at the 4th to share the lead again and was two clear after a Grace double two holes later. After 10 holes he was four clear and, while Grace stiffed his approach at the 16th, Paisley parred in to get over the line and deny Grace the chance to win South Africa’s three most prestigious events.

South African JC Ritchie was third after a second successive 65 that included two eagles and six birdies. Chase Koepka, brother of Brooks and a Challenge Tour graduate, finished in a tie for seventh.

Best Quote

“My regular caddie is getting some stick but I just can’t say enough about how good of a job she has done this week and just in life in general. She doesn’t know that much about golf but she knows me really well and she knows when I’m going a little quicker than I usually do or when I’m getting a bit tight,” Chris Paisley

Best Dressed

Let’s be honest how often is big Ern going to win a Best Dressed and, besides, he’s a genuine legend. His calves are slimmer than you might imagine and he looks pretty good for someone who’s going to turn 50 next year. It should also be noted that he went through the week without the need for a white belt which is good enough for us.

Ernie Els

Worst Dressed

You do wonder don’t you? When Soomin Lee was sitting down with his manager/stylist/apparel aide or whoever how the conversation went – ‘And we thought we’d go with this on Saturday? It’s a look based on a child’s puzzle and we think it looks pretty, pretty, pretty snazzy’ (last bit said in a Larry David voice).

Soomin Lee

Best Shots

Sunday

He's not going away.

Eagle number two today for @BrandenGrace. pic.twitter.com/yVvoaovNMW

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 14, 2018

Saturday

Imagination + technique ?️

A world class up and down from @BrandenGrace. pic.twitter.com/nke6UmhVi7

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 13, 2018

Friday

?️ 5 best shots from today in South Africa

5. @Saddier_Adrien ?
4. @andysulligolf ⛳️
3. @ChrisPaisley86 ?
2. @RenatoParatore ⤵️
1. @SouthgateMatt ?? pic.twitter.com/iouq6g10M3

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 12, 2018

Thursday

? HOLE-IN-ONE ?@DonaldsonJamie is all smiles ?#BMWSAOpen pic.twitter.com/fEdj2KuJhr

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 11, 2018

Hole-out eagle ✔️
Fist pump and smile ✔️
Nonchalant club toss to caddie ✔️
Conor McGregor walk™ ✔️

Good job, @SouthgateMatt ?? pic.twitter.com/TV1Z58gJFM

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 11, 2018

Best Tweets

Goodnight from South Africa ??#BMWSAOpen pic.twitter.com/Lk3ZcTKRJE

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 14, 2018

“A surprise visitor” ? pic.twitter.com/wmCGjfW0oO

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 14, 2018

Moment of the day ?@DonaldsonJamie gave his caddie quite the scare after his hole-in-one. pic.twitter.com/7ueBm6wWBM

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 11, 2018