Reigning British Open champion Ernie Els predicts compatriot Branden Grace, the leader by four shots in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, to one day join him in capturing golf’s oldest major.
Grace, 24 continued his domination of the Scottish event adding a third round 69 at Carnoustie on Saturday to move to 20-under par in the $US5 million event.
He heads to the final round, and the chance of securing the $800,000 first prize, four clear of Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen, who carded a 68 to move to 16-under par.
US Ryder Cup player Dustin Johnson recorded a 67 on the Old Course at St. Andrews to move to six-under par and tied in 43rd place with Ryder Cup winner Martin Kaymer who added a 69 also at St. Andrews.
Another European Ryder Cup team member, Sweden’s Peter Hanson, carded a 69 for a five under par tally but missing the five under par cut-off mark was teammate Paul Lawrie (68) at three under par.
“Today, was just a joke,” said the Scot.
Also missing the cut was defending champion Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland who signed for a third round 72 for a two-under par tally.
Grace set the European Tour alight earlier this year in winning three events in 11 appearances and arrived in Scotland after having captured a Sunshine Tour last week in Fancourt.
His third round at Carnoustie was a mix of six birdies, one bogey and a 15th hole double bogey.
And Grace’s efforts this year have been so amazing Els had no hesitation in declaring he could win the Open Championship which Els won in 2002 and again this year at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.
“His game is so good Branden could well enough win an Open Championship,” said Els.
The current world No.49 is a graduate from the Ernie Els Foundation which the four-time major winner established in 1999 to help assist talented South African golfers compete more around the world.
Els got his first real sight of Grace’s prowess in capturing the 2007 South African Open at Port Elizabeth where Grace finished the leading amateur.
“Branden has always been a quality player, and he’s really come on now,” said Els.
“So he’s a world contender now; wherever he plays, he’s got a chance to win now.”
