SUN CITY – Despite making a bogey five at the par-four 18th hole on Saturday – his first for the week on the back nine – Branden Grace was still able to post a four-under-par 68 to be at five-under overall and three shots off the lead going into Sunday’s final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Until the 18th on Saturday afternoon, the Fancourt-based player had owned the back nine at the Gary Player Country Club, having made 10 birdies and an eagle since the tournament started on Thursday.
On the front nine he made four birdies, but also four bogeys and three double bogeys, something he admitted after his round he would have to get right if he is to seriously challenge for the title on Sunday afternoon.
Grace is three shots behind new leader, Scotland’s Scott Jamieson, who was blemish-free in going around in 67 shots yesterday to be at eight-under after making five birdies, while overnight leader Victor Dubuisson is at seven-under, just one behind, after carding a one-under 71 on Saturday.
After going out in 42 in Friday’s second round, Grace said it was crucial to come back strongly on Saturday to give himself a chance of victory on Sunday.
“I’m a grinder and Friday’s round was certainly not the best, especially that front nine,” he said.
5. 🌳 4. 👍 3. 😲 2. 🙌 1. 💯
It's the 5 best shots from Moving Day... pic.twitter.com/NP9H8mxopW
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“Today was also not great on the front, so I was happy to be under par (one-under 35) at the turn. It was a grind again, but I’ve given myself a chance and a lot can still happen. Hopefully I can pull off a Noren on Sunday,” Grace joked about last year’s winner Alex Noren, who turned around a six-shot deficit on the Sunday to win by six.
“The key is to get a good start, get that front nine under control, like I did today, and then push on the back. I’m very excited to be in this position... hopefully it’s third time lucky for me.”
Jamieson, who opened with a 68 and made a solid 73 in tough conditions on Friday, was one of only a handful of players to not drop a shot to par on Saturday.
He made five birdies in another steady round of golf which has left him in pole position to win “Africa’s Major” on Sunday.
“I’ll take that for sure,” said the 33-year-old whose only win on the European Tour came in 2013 at the now-defunct Nelson Mandela Championship at Royal Durban on the east coast.
The best of Jamieson's bogey-free 6️⃣7️⃣ in under 2 minutes 📹 #NGC2017 #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/33on0faWGx
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“I need a good week here to get into Dubai next week so that’s at the back of my mind, but I first want to win the tournament; the rest will then take care of itself.
“It’s great to be in this position and the key will be to stay calm between the ears, to not panic, even if I hit a bad shot. I’ve won from being six behind and lost from being five in front, so I’ve got some experience behind me.”
Conditions on Saturday were near perfect after the strong winds of Friday and the scoring, too, was much better.
South Africa’s Haydn Porteous posted a five-under 67 to be at three-under, while Race to Dubai leader Tommy Fleetwood hit back after a difficult first two days to also post a 67. He’s at two-under and tied for seventh.
Martin Kaymer, a former winner, was also steady in going around in 69, three-under, to be at five-under overall, while the round of the day – and tournament – belonged to Italy’s Francesco Molinari, who shot a 65 that included seven birdies and no drop shots.