Grace Claims First PGA Tour Golf Title

Branden Grace has had his share of big moments. He believes winning the RBC Heritage is his biggest by far.

The 27-year-old South African had won 10 times overseas, finished in the top five last year in the U.S. Open and PGA Championship, and gone 5-0 for the International team at the Presidents Cup. On Sunday, he shot a 5-under 66 to overtake Luke Donald for his first title on the PGA Tour.

"This really puts the cherry on top of the cake," Grace said. "And I'm excited for things to start."

Grace has already fashioned an accomplished career. He's 14th in the world ranking, and three of his seven career wins on the European Tour have come since 2015.

"I can tick this one off the box and head into the next couple of majors trying to win it," he said. "I have one notch. I've done it before, and I can do it again."

Grace trailed leader Luke Donald by three shots when the round began, but by the turn, he had wiped out that deficit with five birdies. Grace took the lead for good with consecutive birdies on 12 and 13. He overcame a final challenge on the 16th hole by rolling in a 12-foot par putt to maintain a 3-shot lead. A hole behind, Donald lipped out a birdie try. He could get no closer.

Grace finished at 9-under 275, two shots ahead of Donald and Russell Knox. Donald shot a 71, and Knox had a 67.