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Branden Grace
Branden Grace
Born: 20 May 1988
Birthplace: Pretoria, South Africa
College: Unknown
Resides: George, South Africa
Major Wins: 0
Euro or PGA Tour Wins : 11
Other Wins: 3
Grass Preference: Unknown
Significant Life Events: No
GBC Wind Performance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
GBC Pressure Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
BIO
Branden Grace has 14 professional wins to his name with his most recent the Puerto Rico Open. He has won some prestigious events over the years; Qatar Masters (twice), Nedbank Golf Challenge, Volvo China Open, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and his first PGA Tour title at the 2016 RBC Heritage.
After turning pro in 2007, he played a mixture of Challenge Tour and Sunshine Tour events until earning his European Tour card for 2009. However, it was 2012 where he made real progress, winning three times and becoming only the second player in European Tour history to win three times in the season after graduating from qualifying school.
Between 2014 and 2017 he went from strength to strength, amassing more titles and contending in majors. At the 2015 US Open, Grace held a share of the lead through 54 holes. On Sunday, he was in the penultimate group with eventual champion, Jordan Spieth and was still tied for the lead heading to the 16th hole, until he blocked his drive to the right and out of bounds, forcing him to re-tee and eventually leading to a double bogey to end his chances.
Branden now largely plays the majority of his golf in America after previously splitting his schedule between the PGA and European Tour.
Significant info
Nothing at this time.
Pressure Performance Analysis
Summary
Branden is usually quite a classy performer in the mix, going forward, he can be backed with confidence in contention. His Golf Betting Club Pressure Performance Rating is set at ⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 2022
❌ Trailed the leaders by 1 shot at the Nedbank Golf Challenge and shot 75 to finish 6 shots behind winner Tommy Fleetwood.
August 2021
✅ Began the final round four shots behind Russell Henley and shot a 66 to get into a 6-man playoff. A strong final round.
June 2021
➖ Began the final round of the Memorial three shots behind the leaders, shot 71 to remain three off the lead.
February 2021
✅ Several weeks after his father passed away Branden overcame a one shot deficit to win the Puerto Rico Open. He finished eagle-birdie.
January 2020
✅ Win at South African Open was a result of a final round 62 to win by 3 shots, after beginning the final round 3 shots behind Louis Oosthuizen.
December 2019
➖ He was 3rd at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, starting 4 shots behind Pablo Larrazabal and shooting 73 to finish 2 shots behind. This was his first final round in the mix since January 2019 so could be forgiven for some ‘contention rust’.
February 2019
✅ Phoenix Open, he began the final round 7 shots behind Rickie Fowler and shot 69 to finish 2nd, only 2 shots off a playoff. He actually had a putt to take the lead on the 13th that day so it was a tremendous effort to get so close.
November 2017
✅ Won the Nedbank Golf Challenge was a result of a flawless final round 66 where he hit every GIR. Overcame a 3 shot lead by Scott Jamieson to win by 1 shot, having only taken the lead on the 16th hole.
Trends
Goes Well Fresh
Branden’s win in 2020 was his first event of the season, proving he can win with no recent competitive form. He was 2nd on his first event of 2018 and 4th in his first event of 2016 – he clearly plays well after Christmas and New Year!
Unpredictable
Strong results in 2021 on the back of no form - 4th, 2nd and 7th.
Wind Expert
Branden is an excellent wind player, famous for his low-ball flight which is ideal for a links test. Many of the venues he has had success are wind exposed and can be trusted when a similar test is the forecast.
Events to back Grace
Wyndham Championship
Lost out in a playoff in 2021 despite some poor form.
The Memorial
4th last year in no form.
South African Open
He plays very well back home in South Africa, in fact he has won every significant tournament in South Africa now, following his South African Open win in 2020.
Playoff Record
1-2.
Significant Quotes
WGC Matchplay, 2019
“I grew up playing a lot of this match play format and things like that, and I really enjoy it. I wish there were more of these events in a year, even if there's just one more. But I think it's tricky around a golf course like this because it's elevated. There's a lot of wind.”
Pebble Beach, 2019
“Last year was my first time, I played really well, and I pretty much thought it suited me, all three courses.”
Waste Management, 2019
Q. Did you ever think on the 13th hole you would be putting for the lead?
“No, not at all. What was it? Was it a six-shot lead, five-shot at the end of the day yesterday. Obviously disappointed not to be the winner at the end of the day, but one bad shot cost me.”
Nedbank Challenge, 2017
Q. To shoot 66 on the final day and two great competitors in the final group, as well, must have been a particular challenge.
“It was tough. They played great. They were quite a bit in front of me, two and three shots starting the day. I knew I needed to stay patient, and I managed to do that.”
Q. You held your nerve at the end because the chasing pack put plenty of pressure, but that shot on 16 gave you a one-shot advantage.
“Yeah, you know, it was quite a different win for me. I think my previous wins that I've had, I've been in front and you kind of have to kind of protect your lead. I never had the lead once last year until the 16th in the final round, so that was pretty special.”