South Africa's Branden Grace wins Qatar Masters with late surge
South Africa’s Branden Grace produced a late surge to win the Qatar Masters by one shot from Scotland’s Marc Warren at the Doha Golf Club on Saturday.
Grace became the fourth South African to win the US$2.5 million tournament, following Darren Fichardt (2003), Ernie Els (2005) and Retief Goosen (2007).
After a close battle for most part of the day, Grace landed an eagle on the 16th hole to momentarily edge clear of the field but could only manage a par on the 17th, which Warren birdied to draw level.
It was a great day, a great week, and it’s another trophy to put in the cupboard
But with the final hole remaining, Grace almost produced another eagle, getting within three feet for his fourth birdie to log a final round of 66.
That gave him an aggregate of 19-under-par 269 and the title as Warren could only par the final hole after missing the fairway and landing in the rough.
Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, who was part of a quartet who shared the overnight lead, was third with 271, while England’s Eddie Pepperell was fourth on 272.
“It was a great day, a great week, and it’s another trophy to put in the cupboard,” said Grace.