News
How Branden Grace captured his first PGA Tour win at the RBC Heritage
Nothing shocking in this: Branden Grace won the RBC Heritage because he made more birdies (18) than anyone else in the field for the week and he went lower on Sunday than any other golfer inside the top 25. Indeed, the South African’s 66 was the second-best Sunday round to John Senden’s six-under 65.
Talking about the quality of his final-round 66, which vaulted him to a two-stroke win over Russell Knox and Luke Donald, Grace answered this question in his post-win press conference:
Was the turning point on the back nine when you go back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13?
BRANDEN GRACE: Yeah, definitely. I knew they were tough holes. I needed to be aggressive on those two and try to give myself some good chances. I think the furthest one was probably eight feet. But made two good strokes, and two big putts for the momentum for the rest of the round. And then it was just grinding it out the rest of the round.
Here’s a look at how those two critical holes appeared on the PGA Tour’s Shot Tracker. Grace, who hit just 53.6 percent of fairways for the week, managed to find the short grass both times, ending up 10 feet 10 inches and nine feet, 1 inch from the hole respectively.
And video of the birdie putt at the 12th.
The win, which came in 27-year-old Grace’s 51st tournament on the PGA Tour wasn’t defined by overwhelming brilliance in any one statistical area. However, the sum total of his strong showing was a near field-leading strokes gained: tee-to-green performance. Grace, as the winner, of course, led field in strokes gained: total.
Here’s how Grace ranked in key areas, via ShotLink.
- Driving distance: 280.2 (39)
- Fairways hit: 53.6% (T50)
- Greens in regulation: 61.1% (T14)
- Approach shot proximity: 37’8’’ (39)
- Strokes gained: tee-to-green: 2.302 (2)
- Strokes gained: putting: 1.348 (10)
Grace, an extremely low hitter of the golf ball (last on tour in apex height), faced a course which takes driver out of players’ hands. Last year, average driving distance at Harbour Town was the shortest on tour at 264.3 yards.
Much lip service is given to the Pete Dye-designed track’s small putting surfaces, and rightfully so. Last year, just 56.5 percent of approach shots found the greens: the lowest percentage anywhere on tour. Thus, Grace finishing tied for 14th at 61.1 percent of greens in regulation in an achievement more impressive than the objectively low percentage of greens hit, well below his season average of 69.21 percent (27th on tour).
And not shockingly, as he led the field in birdies, Grace had a great week with the flatstick, picking up 1.348 strokes on the field with the putter. The performance was well above his average of .215 strokes gained: putting (68th on tour).
Here’s the weapon his did the damage with: An Odyssey Versa V Line.
And here’s the “pencil” grip he employs.
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News
Morning 9: 58 on the Korn Ferry Tour | Rory on possible return to policy board
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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foo
Apr 18, 2016 at 1:37 pm
Callaway with another win!
Ian
Apr 18, 2016 at 12:01 pm
Grace you boytjie!