Branden Grace wins LIV Golf Portland event
Branden Grace produced a spectacular final round of 7-under (65) to win the LIV Golf Portland event, the 2nd event in the new breakaway tour. Grace finished on a final score of -13, two shots ahead of LIV Golf debutant Carlos Ortiz.
Grace walked away with the $4 million (£3.2m) winners cheque, bringing his total earnings from the LIV Golf tour to a staggering $6.4 million (£5.3m). The 4 Aces team consisting of Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Pat Perez and Talor Gooch won the team event with a combined score of -23, seven clear of Grace's team Stinger GC which finished runner-up.
Grace began the round two behind Mexican Carlos Ortiz, but put together a stunning display on Saturday, including 4 birdies in his last 6 holes.
Patrick Reed made a late charge to finish his final two holes in three under par, giving the American a very respectable third place finish in his first LIV Golf event. Other big names peppering the leaderboard included Dustin Johnson on 9-under and Louis Oosthuizen on -7 under.
Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, two big-name signings to join the LIV Golf tour this week, finished -2 under and level par respectively to come in 10th and 20th on the final leaderboard.
Speaking to the media after his victory, Grace put into words what it meant to him:
"Today was no walk in the park. I was behind a majority of the day. I had to work my butt off, try to make birdies. At the end of the day I got chills when I got on to 18, the people chanting your name. I got nervous over the four-footer just like I do in any other tournament. We're out here, we're playing golf. This is what we're good at, and it's just nice to see that people actually realize and recognize you for what you are and what we do for the game."
During the event, LIV Golf announced another stalwart of the golfing world is to join their ranks - Ryder Cup star Paul Casey.
The LIV Golf tour heads next to Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, New Jersey, USA (29-31 July).
