Grace carded a final round of six under par 66 for a total of 11 under par to beat Scotland’s Scott Jamieson to become the first South African winner of Africa’s Major in 10 years. Before Graces’ amazing victory on Sunday, Trevor Immelman, was the last local winner after clinching the title back in 2007 when it was still an out-and-out invitational event.

Heading into the back nine it was still a three horse race between, Grace, Jamieson and France’s Victor Dubuisson. Germany’s Martin Kaymer also stood an outside chance at winning his second title, however, a lot of different factors would have had to work out in his favour.

Dubuisson was seemly the man to beat, however, on the 15th he bogeyed for his first drop shot of the round. This allowed Grace and Jamieson to move into the lead.

Onto the 16th, and this was without a doubt the defining moment in game 24. Grace landed his tee shot on the par three in the middle of the green, while Jamieson, shanked his tee shot, however, a favourable bounce allowed for his to chip on agonisingly close to the pin to save par.

Grace won the game when on the 16th when he rolled in monstrous 30 ft. putt for a birdie and to move up to 11 under par.

From there on out it was mere formally for Grace and all he needed to do on the tricky 17th and 18th was score pars to break the South African drought.

On each of the 18 holes during the final round, Grace, hit his greens in regulation, becoming the only winner on the European Tour this season to achieve the feat. It was Grace’s 8th career win on the European Tour, however, only his first this season.

It couldn’t have come at the better time for the Grace, as he and his wife found out on Wednesday that they are expecting a baby boy.

“It's a very special week, we found out on Wednesday we're having a boy”, Grace said after winning.

“This is the one event that as a South African you want to win. It's Africa's Major for a reason and what a special place it is.

“There's a lot of history and a lot of great winners on the trophy and I'm very glad to be able to put my name on the trophy as well.”

There are now seven different winners of seven Rolex Series events on the Tour in 2017. Grace has moved up to 9th in Race to Dubai standings, heading into the DP World Tour Championship and Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai which tees off on Thursday.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport