South Africa’s Branden Grace fired an impressive third round six-under 66 to move within one shot of England’s Chris Paisley on 15-under at the SA Open at Glendower Golf Club, in Johannesburg, on Saturday.
Paisley playing a couple groups ahead of Grace carded a two-under 70, but after nine holes it had been a totally different looking leaderboard. At that stage, Paisley had already reached 15-under with Grace way down in 10th place on nine-under overall.
Grace, the top-ranked player in the field and tournament favourite, picked up his first birdie on the back nine at the short par four 11th. Another gain followed at the par-five 13th, but it would be three birdies in a row from the par-five 15th which vaulted Grace into second on his own.
“I got pretty frustrated out there, I thought I hit the ball superbly through 13 holes but just couldn’t get the ball in the hole. I normally get on a little streak, and suddenly I’ve made three or four birdies,” said Grace after his round.
“Sometimes you push too hard, and it doesn’t happen.”
Grace secured a come-from-behind victory at the Nedbank Challenge in November, and being just one adrift on Sunday will give the 30th-ranked player in the world huge confidence.
“I’ve done it at the Nedbank, I was four or five behind going into the final round there. I thought I’d need to keep the margin quite small, and now I’m right back in it.”
Paisley, in contrast, is ranked 289th in the world and seeking his first win on the European Tour. Grace and Paisley will be paired in the last group out on Sunday. Grace predicted Paisley would feel much more pressure in the final round with the large galleries expected around the last group.
“They were two groups back today, I don’t know how many people were watching them. It might have been a little bit of an advantage as they might not have felt the pressure as much. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be in the last group and the pressure can build.”
Paisley said he would not be intimidated by playing alongside Grace who has eight European Tour wins to his name.
“Obviously playing with Gracie who’s won God knows how many times on Tour and obviously a great player and in his home country, I’m sure the crowd’s gonna be on his side, but I’m just really excited about it,” said Paisley.
Jacques Blaauw also recorded a 66 on day three to rise to 12-under in a three-way tie for third alongside American Chase Koepka and Adrien Saddier of France.
Blaauw said it would be a dream come true to win the SA Open.
“For the South Africans, it’s a big event - it’s like our major,” said the 31-year-old Blaauw.
“To have your name on that trophy, with Ernie Els and Gary Player would mean a lot.”
Darren Fichardt fired a superb eight-under 64 to finish on 11-under earlier in the day for sixth place on his own - four shots behind.
- African News Agency (ANA)
