Share

Grace sets sights on Masters

Johannesburg - After climbing a phenomenal 166 positions in the latest world rankings released on Monday, South African golfing sensation Branden Grace says he has his eye on the Masters at Augusta in April.

Grace, who rose to 92nd in the rankings after two consecutive European Tour wins - at the Joburg Open and the Volvo Golf Champions - needs to climb into the top 50 to earn an invite to the first Major of the year.

"Getting into the top 50, I think that is every player's goal," Grace said after beating countrymen Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in a playoff at Fancourt at the weekend.

"To get into a Major would be an unbelievable year.

"If I could achieve that to get into the Masters, it would just be a highlight, indescribable."

Grace, 23, will head to Dubai this week for the HSBC Golf Championship with a new set of goals, but he was not putting any pressure on himself.

"The next couple of weeks is one of those things where anything can happen," he said.

"I just hope my game stays the way it is. I hope my energy levels stay up.

"I know for a fact I'll definitely take it easy the next couple of days, go out and play the Pro-Am in Abu Dhabi and take it from there."

In a little over two weeks, Grace rocketed up the global list after going winless in his first 49 events on the European Tour, and the youngster was still coming to terms with his double breakthrough.

"I think I've just been running with emotion," he said.

"I'll keep playing and keep playing until I'm exhausted and until I find it's time to take a break."

Grace, after three events of the 2012 season, leads the Race to Dubai moneylist with 570 000 euros (R5.8 million) in earnings.

"I'm looking forward to the next two weeks," he said.

"I've always looked forward to playing in Dubai and playing in a tournament of that calibre, which is a different thing for me.

"So (I'm) going back and making new goals and taking it from there."

Having achieved the rare feat of winning two weeks in a row, Grace said his Joburg Open win had carried him through to the Champions event in George, his home town.

"I think the confidence played an important role and I really wanted to play here in George," he said.

"I think if you ask any player, in a tournament at their home course, they want to do well.

"They want to perform and they will give it their best."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE