Branden Grace hunting more SA golf glory

Branden Grace achieved a career first of three eagles in one round as he opened with a 65 to share the lead on day one of the BMW South African Open, proudly hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni, at Glendower Golf Club.

Grace’s round of seven under par saw him join American Chase Koepka at the top of the leaderboard and one stroke clear of England’s Chris Paisley.

“It was good. I was a little bit rusty with some of the wedge shots and things like that but all in all very pleased with the outcome and I think I pretty much got the most out of that round. It’s a great start to 2018,” said Grace.

The South African is still revelling in his Nedbank Golf Challenge victory last November, and he displayed similar form when he eagled the par-five second, eighth and 15^th holes at Glendower in a round that also included three birdies and two bogeys.

“On all the par-fives, I pretty much hit great tee shots and really gave myself some chances.”

The eagle on the second saw Grace hole a 25-footer, which he says was crucial to his round.

“I get on a streak like this where I make one of those longish putts in the first couple of holes, then I pretty much know I just have to get it there. I had the lines on all of them.”

Koepka, the brother of PGA Tour campaigner and US Open champion Brooks Koepka, was delighted with his round after he opened with a bogey.

“I made eagle on the second hole and kind of kept it going from there. I just stayed patient after that first hole.”

Former SA Open champion Richard Sterne is well-placed at five under, while amateurs Garrick Higgo and Kyle McClatchie impressed with their opening rounds of four under.

And Jamie Donaldson recorded the first hole-in-one of this year’s tournament when he aced the par-three 14^th with a nine iron.

Retief Goosen and Charl Schwartzel head into the second round on three under, while Ernie Els is at one under.