Grace quietly raking in the cash
While American Dustin Johnson stole the headlines with his breakthrough Major victory, South Africa’s Branden Grace quietly notched up a tied-fifth place at the US Open at Oakmont on Sunday.
Beginning the day on one-under par and seven strokes behind 54-hole leader Shane Lowry of Ireland, Grace settled for a one-over par 71 to finish at level par for the tournament.
Johnson, meanwhile, fired a 69 to finish on four-under and win by three. Johnson’s round included a penalty shot where he was deemed to have caused his ball to move on the fifth green from a practice stroke.
The player was first told he would not be penalised, but on the 12th tee he was told by officials that he could in fact be penalised. The conduct of officials caused a stir among players, most notably with American Jordan Spieth and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy voicing their frustration on social media.
Removed from the controversy, the 28-year-old South African kept up his fight with a birdie and a bogey on his opening nine to remain in contention. At the par-five 12th hole Grace picked up a shot to get to two-under overall for the second time, but three more bogies and just one birdie to close out his round ended his challenge.
The fifth place adds to the fourth position Grace achieved at the 2015 US Open – after he was tied for the lead with three holes to go.
The only other South Africans in the field to make the cut, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen both finished on seven over for the week in a share of 23rd.