BRANDEN Grace was denied by Chris Paisley to fulfil his dreams of becoming the South African Open champion.
The BMW SA Open was held at Glendower Golf Club from January 11 to 14 and many local supporters of Grace returned home without their favourite golfer winning the much-coveted title.
But all credit to the 2018 BMW SA Open champion, Paisley, who won the title with ease on Sunday three strokes ahead of Grace.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk
What should have been a tightly contested race on day four, flared out to be a perfect round for the Englishman, who had his work cut out to oust the last-minute challenge from the South African Grace and closed with a 66 to finish on 21 under par.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk
Paisley is the third Englishman in the past four years to win the BMW South African Open hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni. Graeme Storm (England) won the title in 2017 when he defeated Rory McIlroy at the third extra hole of a play-off. Unfortunately, Storm could not make the cut-off on Friday to defend his title.
“Going head-to-head with Branden in his home country and with what felt like everybody out there supporting him, was tough. I didn’t think I was capable of playing that well,” said Paisley, whose wife Keri caddied for him.
“I just can’t say enough about just how good she was this week. She doesn’t know that much about golf but she knows me really well. Just coming up the last fairway with her next to me was just incredible.”
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk
Grace played 18 under par after a final round of 68, missing the chance to add the trophy to his Nedbank Golf Challenge trophy which he won in November 2017.
“He was flawless out there and played the best golf,” said Grace. “It didn’t go my way, but I’ll take second place in my first week back. Hopefully, I can get my hands on this trophy sooner or later,” said Grace.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk
Countrymen, JC Ritchie was in third place on 16 under par with a final round of 65. Kyle McClatchie finished as the leading amateur in a share of 15th place to secure the Freddie Tait Trophy with a final round of 71 for a total of 10 under par.
In the meantime, the Eye of Africa based golfer, Keith Horne, did not make the cut on day two of the tournament. He played a 75 on day one and 74 on day two for a total of 149.
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