Notification

Coming Soon...

OK

Something went wrong!
Please try again later.

EXPAND Cross icon

EXPANDING


Loader

Volvo Golf Champions - South Africa

DP World Tour
image
Posted by Admin 17 Jan 2012

DAY 4 - HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO
SCORESHEET
DAY 3
DAY 2
DAY 1

January 22nd 2012, George, South Africa: South African Branden Grace became the first player since Fred Couples in 1995 to follow his first European Tour win with another with victory at the Volvo Golf Champions.

A week after capturing his first European Tour title, 23 year old Grace beat two of his boyhood heroes in Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in a play-off.

Amazing Grace indeed - he came through The European Tour Qualifying School only a month ago and did not even have a place in the 35-man winners-only field until he lifted last week's Joburg Open.

Els and Goosen were left as joint runners-up seven years after they left the rest for dead on The Links at Fancourt course in the South African Open, Goosen winning by a shot on that occasion.

"I'm really ecstatic," said Grace after his two-putt birdie at the first extra hole.

"It's a dream come true to win such a big event - pretty much the best tournament I've played in so far."

He was 258th in the Official World Golf Ranking little over a week ago, but now moves inside the top 100.

With Europe's Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal dropping back to sixth after sharing the lead early in the final round and Padraig Harrington falling away to joint tenth, Grace could easily have won the event in regulation play.

But missing a birdie chance of under five feet on the last left him with a two under par 71 and put him alongside Els and Goosen on 12 under.

They had shot 67 and 70 respectively, Els sinking an 18 foot eagle putt on the 13th and then almost chipping in for another at the last, while Goosen also eagled the 13th and birdied three of the last four.

Grace had fallen four behind when he double-bogeyed the third and bogeyed the fourth, but he covered the remaining 14 holes in five under to prove himself made of stern stuff.

He then hit the longest drive when the trio returned to the 549 yard 18th for sudden death and, with Els driving into the rough and Goosen pushing his second, was the only one on the green in two.

Els hit his third to 18 feet and Goosen's chip stopped on the ridge 30 feet short of the hole.

Grace, though, rolled his long first putt down to three feet and made no mistake after his rivals had both missed.

Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts was also tied for the lead with one to play, but hit a wild drive and with a bogey six had to settle for fourth place, while Masters Tournament champion Charl Schwartzel finished two back as seven Major Champions finished in the top ten.

At least Els is now closer to returning to the Official World Golf Ranking's top 50, which he needs to do in the next two months to secure a place in The Masters Tournament, but Harrington's 76 means he still has a lot of work to do to get back into the top 64 in time for next month's World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play.

Els said: "A couple more putts here and there and that could have been something special.

"It's a very encouraging week, all four rounds under par, and I'm working on some good stuff."

Olazábal, at 596th in the Official World Golf Ranking the lowest-ranked player taking part, said: "The only weak part was my driver. The rest of the game has been pretty good.

"At certain moments in the round it looked a little bit like the old days."

Breaking News

  • 4moles Editorial | December 02, 2025

    Inside Hitaashee’s Most Candid Talk: The Truth About Golf Leagues and the Indian Open Heartbreak

    Go behind the scenes of Hitaashee Bakshi’s most honest chat yet, in conversation with Mr. Dinesh Thakur. Read More

  • 4moles Editorial | November 27, 2025

    Golf’s Secret War: Playing With Friends But Competing Like Enemies

    The truth about golf’s quietest battles and the pairings that can make or break your round. Read More

  • 4moles Editorial | November 24, 2025

    Albatross United Wins the Delhi Leg of the 4moles.com Golf Rendezvous PRO-AM League 2025

    A thrilling finish at Classic Golf and Country Club as the Delhi Leg delivers top-tier competition and a ticket to Chiang Mai. Read More

  • 4moles Editorial | November 18, 2025

    The Road to Chiang Mai Ends in Delhi – The Final Leg of Golf Rendezvous PRO-AM League on 20 Nov

    5 teams battle at the Delhi Leg for the fully-paid Chiang Mai finale in India’s biggest golf league. Read More

  • 4moles Editorial | November 17, 2025

    India’s Top 5 SCARIEST Golf Holes: The Ones That Make Even Scratch Golfers Sweat

    A story for golfers who think they’ve seen it all… until the course bites back. Read More

  • Popular News

  • 4moles Editorial | November 28, 2025

    Introducing ASTRO GOLF – India’s First Zodiac-Based Golf Forecast Series by 4moles.com

    India’s first zodiac-based golf forecast series. Discover how your sign could influence your game every month. Read More

  • 4moles Editorial | November 10, 2025

    DDA Golf Course Dwarka Slashes Membership and Green Fees by 40%

    Limited-time 40% off on DDA Golf Dwarka memberships and green fees. Offer valid for first 1000 members only. Read More

  • 4moles Editorial | October 03, 2025

    "Ball Went Everywhere… Except Where It Should " : Pant’s Golf Debut

    Fractured toe won’t stop Pant from swinging — his golf debut was pure fun and chaos at Prestige Golfshire. Read More

  • General | September 26, 2025

    First Steps Online: The Role of New Member Offers in an Emerging Market

    Welcome offers in Myanmar’s digital market build trust, reduce risk, and guide first-time users into online services. Read More

  • Hours
    Minute
    Second
    Rolex
    #

    WANT TO GET STARTED?


    Sponsored Links