Branden Grace happy with another good week in a major at Baltusrol
By Keith Jackson
Last Updated: 31/07/16 10:57pm
Branden Grace savoured another strong performance in a major despite a disappointing finish to his final-round 67 at the PGA Championship.
Grace has posted top-five finishes at the last two US Opens and was third in the PGA at Whistling Straits last year, and he was in firm contention for this season's final major until he faltered over the last three holes.
The South African birdied two of the first four holes and picked up another at seven, and he vaulted to within one shot of the lead when he almost holed his approach to the 13th.
But a disappointing three-putt at 16 took the wind out of his sails and, after he missed a good birdie opportunity at the 17th, he pulled his drive at the last into water before doing well to salvage a par to finish on nine under par.
"It was obviously nice to make a couple birdies and give myself a chance coming down the stretch," said Grace. "It was fun. On Friday, I kind of looked like missing the cut at some stage, so it shows I'm capable of fighting back and playing some great golf just to finish the way I did.
"It's great major and I've got a lot of positives to take from it. It was pretty much one of my best ball-striking performances from tee to green this year. I played well, and I gave it a go.
"I didn't take advantage of 18 - I really had to get aggressive and it backfired. But I still managed to make a good par and, all in all, it was still a good week and a positive note to finish the major season off."
Leaderboard
Grace admitted he was disappointed with his performance at The Open a fortnight ago, when he finished well down the field in a tie for 72nd, but he liked the look of the Baltusrol layout as soon as he arrived in New Jersey.
"I feel I'm progressing pretty nicely, and I think I'm getting more confident as the majors go on," he added. "I was a little bit disappointed with The Open this year. I thought I played some decent golf, but it wasn't one of those golf courses that really suited me.
"But I came here this week and thought this is a place I can do well. I played great the first day and was just unlucky, maybe that cost me. When I tee it up now, I feel I can win a major. That's what I think if you are coming into a major with that mindset, you know you are going to do well."
