Branden Grace

Height: 5 ft 10 in

Born: May 20, 1988

Nationality: South African

Turned Pro: 2007

Sponsors: Volvo, Callaway

Branden Grace didn’t wait long to make history after he turned professional – he became the first player to win four times in his first year on the European Tour.

Grace closed out his amateur career by winning the 2006 South African Amateur Stroke Play Championship.

Grace turned professional while he was 19 years old. He began his career on the Challenge Tour and played on it for two years before earning his card for the 2009 European Tour through qualifying school.

Branden struggled on the European Tour in 2009, but he found success on the Sunshine Tour (based in South Africa, formerly known as the South African Tour or FNB Tour). He carded seven top ten finishes and placed 11th on the Sunshine Tour’s Order of Merit (money list).

Grace continued with mixed success and was forced to return to qualifying school to earn his 2012 European Tour card.

Grace got out of the gates quickly in 2012 and established himself as an emerging force on the European Tour. He won the Joburg Open in January and topped it off a week later with a victory at the Volvo Golf Champions. That win was especially sweet as he defeated fellow South Africans and Major champions Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

With a third victory at the Volvo China Open later in the year, Grace made history. He became only the second player to capture three titles the year after earning a card through qualifying school. He also became only the third South African to win three events in one season.

Grace played well and retained his card during winless campaigns in 2013 and 2014. He returned to the winners circle with two European Tour wins and a Sunshine Tour win in 2015.