Dimension Data Pro-am in South Africa

Amazing Grace's late birdies to share lead

FROM THE SUNSHINE TOUR WEBSITE
Local professional Branden Grace shot a four-under-par 68 as he closed in a rush today to grab a share of the lead of the Rand 3-million Dimension Data Pro-Am with Darren Fichardt.
The tournament is being played for the first time on the Outeniqua, Montagu and The Links courses at Fancourt after spending 14 years at Sun City, South Africa.
Grace started poorly in his third round, dropping shots on his opening two holes on Montagu, and another one on the seventh, but he raced home with five birdies on his homeward nine, including four in the final five holes.
“I got the hang of it by about the eighth hole and didn’t make any mistakes coming in, and I played terrifically on the last 10 holes,” he said.
Fichardt went birdie-bogey-birdie on the final three holes of The Links as he carded a two-under 71 to join Grace at the head of the leaderboard, three clear of Anton Haig who shot a 67 on Montagu and Louis Oosthuizen who, like Grace, carded a 68 on Montagu.
“It was an up and down struggle,” a relieved Fichardt said. “I hit the ball well but it’s different greens every day so I’m happy with two-under here today.”
The field of 156 professionals, each paired with an amateur, played a round on each of the courses, after which there was be a cut to the top 65 professionals and ties for the final round which will be played on Montagu.
While Fichardt has won nine times on the Sunshine Tour – and twice on the European Tour – Grace will be looking for his maiden victory.
“I’ve come this week to win,” he said. “That was my main goal. But I know Darren’s a good player, and anything can happen on this golf course. I hope tomorrow I can just stick to my game and stay focused on what I need to do.
“I always look at the leaderboard. I always look at who’s behind me and Darren’s going to be one tough competitor,” he added.
Almost lost in the developing battle between the man who played in the first Dimension Data Pro-Am 15 years ago and the youngster on the verge of a successful career was the flawless nine-under-par 63 Justin Walters shot on Montagu.
Five birdies and two eagles showed that his game slipped into overdrive: “Everything kind of clicked,” he said.
“I played the par-fives six-under today: I managed to hit some good drives and really good long irons and fairway woods into them, and I took advantage of them.”
It was satisfying for him after a real struggle on the opening nine of The Links for his second round where he went through nine three-over.
“I’ve played the last 27 holes in 11-under without a bogey,” he said.
That kind of play left him on eight-under for the tournament, four off the pace together with Louis Moolman, Anthony Michael and James Kingston.
He allowed himself to think of the final round as he raced around Montagu: “I’ve never played a tournament on this course, and today was my first competitive round on it, so I’m very happy to go and play it tomorrow,” he said.
He’ll have to contend with Fichardt – and a very determined Grace. “I’ve really been looking forward to playing at home,” said Grace.
“This week, I told my Mom and them that if I didn’t make the field in India, I would not be upset because I really do want to play at home.”
That determination will be tough to beat.
SCOREBOARD
THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Par 217 (2x72, 1x73)
Montagu course, Fancourt
Players from South Africa unless stated
205 Branden Grace 68 69 68, Darren Finchardt 66 68 71.
208 Louis Oosthuizen 68 72 68, Anton Haig 70 71 67.
209 Louis Moolman 68 75 66, Justin walters 72 74 63, Anthony Michael 65 77 67, James Kington 70 71 68.
210 Hennie Otto 71 71 68, Tyrone Van Aswegen 70 68 72.
211 Tjaart Van der Walt 71 71 69, Daniel Green 70 68 72, Dion Fourie 74 76 64, Darryn Lloyd 74 69 68, Jbe Kruger 66 74 71, Marc Cayeux (Zimbabwe) 70 72 69, Thomas Aitken 72 73 66.