Branden Grace Wins RBG Heritage For First PGA Tour Title

Branden Grace won the final round of the RBC Heritage Golf Tournament in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on Sunday, thus earning his first PGA Tour Title.

Branden Grace Wins RBG Heritage For First PGA Tour Title

The 27-year-old South African had previously won 10 times overseas, finishing in the top five last year in the U.S. Open and PGA Championship, and went 5-0 for the International team at the Presidents Cup.

On Sunday, he shot a 5-under 66 to overtake Englishman Luke Donald and win the RBC Heritage.

“This really puts the cherry on top of the cake,” Grace said. “And I’m excited for things to start.”

Grace already boasts a very accomplished career. He’s ranked 14th in the world and three of his seven career wins on the European Tour have come since 2015.

Grace trailed leader Donald by three shots when the round began, but cut that deficit entirely by the turn with five birdies. He then took the lead for good with consecutive birdies on 12 and 13.

Grace then overcame a final challenge on the 16th hole, rolling in a 12-foot par putt to maintain a three-shot lead. Just one hole behind, Donald lipped out a birdie try.

Grace finished at 9-under 275, two shots ahead of Donald and Russell Knox.

As a result of the win, Grace earned $1,062,000 and a PGA Tour exemption through the 2017-18 season, which he said was a weight off his mind.

Donald said Saturday after taking a one-shot lead that he would need to be aggressive and make birdies. However, he failed to do this. Instead, he settled for pars on the opening six holes, while Grace moved in front with four birdies on the same stretch.

Donald got to 8 under with a birdie on the seventh hole, then quickly gave it back on No. 8 when he drove in the water and took bogey.

He caught Grace one final time with a ninth-hole birdie, but could not keep up with the South African.

“I think I’ve got to put myself three or four behind on Sunday,” Donald said. “Leading doesn’t seem to be working out for me.”

Bryson DeChambeau, the former SMU star who won the NCAA and U.S. Amateur last year, tied for fourth in his first event since turning pro, four shots behind Grace after a 68.

Top-ranked Australian Jason Day rebounded from a season-worst 79 on Saturday with a 68 to tie for 23rd at 1 under. He now gets a week off before returning to play at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, starting on April 28.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC – APRIL 17: Branden Grace hits a tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the 2016 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 17, 2016 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena