Waste Management Phoenix Open: Power rankings at TPC Scottsdale

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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 03: Branden Grace of South Africa walks off the 18th green during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 03, 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Branden Grace stepped onto the grounds at TPC Scottsdale for the first time in 2019. He nearly was a winner in his debut.

While Rickie Fowler struggled to bring home his 54-hole lead, Grace fired one of Sunday’s best rounds (69) to get into contention. He opened in 67-64-69 and was one of three in the field to be in the 60s all four days.

This could become a regular stop on the South African’s schedule.

"“It was great. Obviously I really enjoyed it,” Grace said in 2019. “Obviously being in the final group yesterday with Rickie and them was awesome. This place was nuts. It’s everything and more than what I expected and what a fun week it was.”"

What a week it was for Grace at the South African Open. A few weeks ago, Grace won on the European Tour for the fourth time in his home country. A Sunday 62 rocketed him up the leaderboard for a three-shot victory over Louis Oosthuizen.

Grace followed it up with a T-17 against a strong field at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and took last week off to prep for Phoenix. His last start of 2019 was a T-3 at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, so he’s been in good form for a while now.

The 31-year-old isn’t a big hitter (90th, 295.1 yards) but has the short game to hang around in any given week. Grace was 26th in strokes gained around the green (.278).

He hit a solid 72.22% of greens in regulation last year in Phoenix. Grace had a tough putting season but looked comfortable at TPC Scottsdale where he gained .979 strokes per round on these Bermuda greens.

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