Branden Grace held his nerve in a play-off to enjoy his second straight victory on the European Tour, winning the Volvo Golf Champions on Sunday.
The 23-year-old South African came into this tournament flying high following his success at the Joburg Open, but things appeared to be turning sour when he failed to maintain a commanding lead built up over the opening rounds. A two-over-par third round heaped pressure on Grace going into the final day, and it appeared to tell as he dropped three shots in the first four holes on Sunday.
However, Grace recovered well with five birdies the rest of the way to end the day two-under, but a 12-under total meant he had to face fellow countrymen Retief Goosen, who shot 67, and Ernie Els, who made 70, in a play-off.
The trio returned to the 18th hole and Goosen could only putt for par, giving Els and Grace the chance to take the victory. Els failed to convert his mid-range putt to also complete the hole in five, and that allowed Grace to tap in a birdie putt for the title.
Grace told EuropeanTour.com afterwards: “I'm really ecstatic. It's a dream come true to win such a big event - pretty much the best tournament I've played in so far.”
Online bookmaker
SkyBet now offer 33/1 that Grace wins five or more events in 2012.
