GOLF NEWS - Branden Grace launched his bid for back-to-back European Tour victories on home soil by firing a lead-sharing 65 in the South African Open at Glendower Golf Club near Johannesburg Thursday.
The 29-year-old eight-time winner on the circuit won the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City two months ago, his last appearance on the Tour.
Grace, who is ranked 30 in the world, shares first place at seven under with American Chase Koepka, a brother of reigning US Open champion Brooks, who lies 306 places lower on the merit ladder.
They lead by one stroke from Chris Paisley of England after a day that brought relief to officials as predicted seasonal electrical storms did not arrive.
Of the five former Major winners in the field, South Africans Retief Goosen and Charl Schwartzel did best with 69s.
Compatriot Ernie Els fired a 71, Canadian Mike Weir a 73 and Trevor Immelman of South Africa a 79 over the par-72, 6, 942-metre track.
Defending champion Graeme Storm of England, who pipped golf superstar Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland in a playoff last year to win the second oldest national championship after the British Open, carded a 75.
