Grace Wins Volvo Golf Champions For Back-to-Back Victories
Branden Grace outdueled two of golf’s most accomplished superstars and earned back-to-back wins with his playoff victory at the Volvo Golf Champions. Grace made a short birdie putt on the first hole of sudden death to beat fellow Callaway Staff Pro Ernie Els and a two-time U.S. Open winner in the three-man playoff. He followed up on his win at the Joburg Open and became the first player since 1995 to win the week after earning his first career European Tour victory. The 23-year-old also established his place as the Tour’s newest superstar and one of its best young talents.
Grace used an FT Tour Driver, a Diablo Octane Tour Fairway Wood, a Diablo Edge Tour Hybrid, a Tour i(s) Golf Ball and an Odyssey Black Series Tour Designs Wide #1 Putter during the event. He shot 68-66-75-71 to finish at 12-under on the week and earn a spot in the playoff. Just last month, Grace was battling through Qualifying School to secure his European Tour card for 2012. Now, he’s won twice in his first three starts of the year and earned a victory at one of the Tour’s most prestigious events.
“I’m really ecstatic,” Grace said after clinching the win. “It’s a dream come true to win such a big event – pretty much the best tournament I’ve played in so far.” Grace rallied back after a slow start that put him four shots off the lead through four holes on Sunday, and shot 5-under over his final 14 holes in regulation. He also played beautifully under pressure as Els and several other major champions made key birdies down the stretch, and he rolled in the winning putt with a confident stroke.
With his victory, Grace moved inside the top-100 in the world golf rankings after sitting at No. 258 just seven days prior. He became only the fourth player in European Tour history to win multiple events the year after graduating from Qualifying School, and automatically earned a spot in this year’s WGC- Bridgestone Invitational and WGC- HSBC Champions. Grace entered the Volvo Golf Champions in first place on the Race to Dubai Standings, and he now holds a commanding lead less than one month into the season.
For Els, the runner-up finish was a positive step that will help lead to more wins. "It's a very encouraging week, all four rounds under par, and I'm working on some good stuff,” said the three-time major winner. Els used a RAZR Fit Driver, RAZR X Muscleback Irons, and the new HEX Black Tour Golf Ball, and wore new Del Mar shoes from Callaway during the week. The Big Easy was impressed with the performance and "steet style" design of his Del Mar shoes and noted, "I played with them in December with my mates and they were very comfortable. I think this might be my look."
Grace has posted both wins for Callaway so far this season. He is also the first Callaway staffer to record back-to-back tournament wins since Thomas Bjorn did so last summer. With Grace’s win at the Joburg Open and the Volvo Golf Champions and Alvaro Quiros' victory at the season-ending Dubai World Championship in December, Callaway Staff Pros have now won three of the last four European Tour events. For more information on all of our elite players, please visit our Staff Pros page.