Branden Grace produced a spectacular final round to win the LIV Golf Portland event and claim the £3.2 million first prize. The South African had started two shots behind Carlos Ortiz, but a round of 65 saw him win three shots clear of the Mexican. Former world No 1 Dustin Johnson was in contention despite a slow start but could not keep up with Grace on the back nine, while Patrick Reed’s charge came too late to threaten the top of the leaderboard. Grace had won twice on the PGA Tour and nine times on the European Tour before defecting to LIV Golf ahead of the inaugural event at the Centurion Club last month. He is part of the Stinger GC team that won just outside London as Charl Schwartzel won. Despite Grace’s performance, it was the 4 Aces team of Johnson, Reed, Pat Perez and Talor Gooch that took home the award this time. While the action was unfolding, LIV Golf also announced their latest new signing in Ryder Cup regular Paul Casey. “LIV Golf continues to attract the best players in the sport as it creates increasingly competitive fields with each event,” said LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman. “Paul Casey adds to the growing list of top 50 golfers who are excited to be part of an innovative and fun format that is creating something new for golf. His proven track record on the world stage adds another exciting piece to the competition as we prepare for Bedminster.”
LIV Golf Portland
-13 Burning Grace -10 Carlos Ortiz -9 Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson
Show latest update 1656811613
LIV Golf Portland
Thanks so much for joining us to cover the final round of the LIV Golf Portland event where Branden Grace won the individual event and 4 GC Aces (Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Pat Perez, Talor Gooch) took home the team prize. Tom Kershaw3 July 2022 02:26 1656811317
LIV Golf Portland
And Grace settles for his parity. What an amazing final round from the South African. He started two shots off the lead but finished two clear thanks to a near flawless round of 65. Tom Kershaw3 July 2022 02:21 1656811233
LIV Golf Portland
However, there is still some drama on the final green in the group format. Ortiz may not have been able to catch Grace, but a birdie at the last ensures that his Fireballs GC has his Torque GC in third place. Tom Kershaw3 July 2022 02:20 1656810575
LIV Golf Portland
Grace isn’t shy about taking his driver at 18, but he’s driven the ball so well it’s no surprise. A safe approach finds the heart of the green and the South African’s victory is now formal. Tom KershawJuly 3, 2022 02:09 1656810106
LIV Golf Portland
And Grace is running with him now. That’s an excellent up-and-down from the rough for birdie on 17 and he’s seven under for his round! Grace leads by three and the £3.2 million grand prize is in his grasp. Tom Kershaw July 3, 2022 02:01 am 1656809882
LIV Golf Portland
Here’s another look at that Grace chip-in at 16. Tom Kershaw July 3, 2022 01:58 1656809550
LIV Golf Portland
Grace misses the fairway on the par-5 17th and his layup is pulled into the rough left side of the green. It’s a tough pitch from there, but he still has an outside chance to get up and down for birdie. Johnson took a wild drive up the middle, but his approach found the front bunker from 211 yards. Tom Kershaw July 3, 2022 01:52 1656808887
LIV Golf Portland
Johnson manages to roll in his birdie at 16 and that takes the former world No. 1 to -9, three shots back with two holes to play. Tom Kershaw3 July 2022 01:41 1656808785
LIV Golf Portland
Branden Grace was the only one in the final group to miss the green on 16, but the South African failed to get the birdie! Ortiz, eyeing a two-shot swing, is suddenly left with a must-make birdie and drags it low from the hole. Grace leads by two with two holes to play. Tom Kershaw July 3, 2022 01:39 1656807959
LIV Golf Portland
It’s two shots now! Grace rolls in a birdie at 15 after a great approach to move to -11. He is five under for his round. Ortiz had a good chance at birdie himself, but the Mexican player has gone cold and remains at -10. Tom Kershaw3 July 2022 01:25
