It was only a matter of time before Branden Grace of South Africa won on the PGA Tour and that time came Sunday.
The 27-year-old Grace, who had 10 previous victories around the world, closed with a 5-under-par 66 to win the RBC Heritage by two strokes over Luke Donald of England and Russell Knox of Scotland at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
“This was the next hurdle, to try to get a win under the belt on the PGA Tour,” said Grace, who went 5-0 for the International team in the Presidents Cup against the U.S. last year. “And now that I have that I can put my sights on other things. Now I know that I can win out here, so now it’s time to push for those majors and I’m excited to head into the U.S. Open.
“This really puts the cherry on top of the cake. I’m excited for things to start. I can tick this one off the box and head into the next couple of majors trying to win it. I have one notch, I’ve done it before and I can do it again.”
Grace, who earned the Tartan Jacket that goes to the Heritage winner, trailed Donald by three strokes entering the final round but took the lead by making five birdies on the front nine. He added two more on Nos. 12 and 13, and could afford his second bogey at No. 17.
Donald, who has held the 54-hole lead three times in the Heritage but never won it, made only two birdies in a 71, while Knox collected four birdies on the front nine but only one coming home in a 67.
“I think I’ve got to put myself three or four behind on Sunday,” said Donald, the former world No. 1 who has not won on the two major tours since 2012. “Leading doesn’t seem to be working out for me.”
Bryson DeChambeau, the NCAA and U.S. Amateur champion from Clovis, finished off a sensation pro debut with a 68 that put him four shots back in a tie for fourth with Kevin Na of Diamond Bar, who overcame a double bogey 5 on the fourth hole to shoot 69.
Bryce Molder posted a bogey-free 67 and was another stroke down in a tie for sixth with Whee Kim of South Korea, who had a 69, and Jason Kokrak, who came in at 73.
Rickey Barnes of Stockton finished with a 68 and was six shots behind in a tie for ninth with Kevin Chappell of Fresno and UCLA, who totaled 70, Aaron Baddeley of Australia, who carded a 68, Matt Kuchar, who shot 71, and William McGirt, who wound up at 69.
Charley Hoffman of Poway struggled to a 75 and skidded to a tie for 14th that included Graham DeLaet of Canada, who had a 71, Ernie Els of South Africa, who shot 66, David Toms, who totaled 69, and Bill Haas, who put up a 72.
Top-ranked Jason Day of Australia, who took himself out of contention with a 79 in the third round, bounced back with a 68 and tied for 23rd.
