Grace Roars Back with Outstanding 8-Under Round at Riyadh Golf Club

Published on December 6, 2024

Branden Grace has kept his hopes of a remarkable comeback alive with an outstanding eight-under-par 63 on day three of the PIF Saudi International, powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, at Riyadh Golf Club. This performance positions him for a dual challenge on the tournament’s final day.

The South African star of Stinger GC endured a tough season in the LIV Golf League, finishing 51st after consistently strong campaigns in prior years, where he secured second and ninth-place finishes. Despite his dip in form, Grace has a chance to rebound quickly. Currently 38th in The International Series Rankings, he could secure 1000 points with a win this week, potentially catapulting him back into contention. Additionally, he’ll have another opportunity at next week’s LIV Golf Promotions event, where he enters the second round of the innovative format thanks to a first-round bye.

Grace’s recent form is encouraging. His flawless third-round display included five birdies inside four feet, contributing to a mere three bogeys across the tournament’s first three days. This follows strong finishes at The International Series events in Thailand and Qatar, where he placed T19 and T13, respectively.

Grace, six back on T20 going into the final day, said: “I’ve played really nicely. Working on the right stuff. The hardest part about this game is staying patient. I feel like the game is coming on, the putting’s coming on, the driving’s coming on, everything has improved.

“I think the scores show it as well. I think I have played six events now with not a score over par in any of those rounds. Everything is there. The solidness is there. The confidence is growing. That’s what we need to get up there in these events.”

With one golden ticket onto LIV Golf up for grabs next week, Grace is hoping to capitalise. He said: “Listen, I’m here to play golf. I am here to win a golf tournament. I feel good. The confidence is growing. Everything is heading in the right direction. Hopefully I can play the same as I played today, and that will take care of business.

“Otherwise, I’m back here next week trying to do exactly the same. I am here because I did not have a good year, so that is all on me. Now it’s about putting your head down and playing golf.”

As a two-time PGA Tour champion with 15 professional wins, Grace remains a key figure for the all-South African Stinger GC team, alongside Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, and Dean Burmester. Determined to rejoin their ranks in LIV Golf, Grace is showing the grit and precision needed to reclaim his spot on the roster.

He said: “First, obviously it’s great to be part of a team. We grew up being part of a team, whether it was rugby, golf, cricket, whatever sport it is. Being from South Africa, that is how you grow up.

“So now it’s nice to be part of a team. I want to be back in that team. We have got such a great team. We have played well. It showed over the past three years. That is where we want to be.

“I know the guys out there are supporting me. They have got my back 100 per cent. Now it’s about me getting my team right with my caddie, my family, the coaches, and just doing what I can do to get back there.”