Everything you need to know from the week's action at Randpark Golf Club.
Branden Grace got the better of fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen in a thrilling final round battle, a young amateur gave us a glimpse of what he's capable of and Marcus Armitage earned a second Open chance at the South African Open hosted by the City of Johannesburg.
Here, we take a look at the highlights of the week.
Amazing Grace edges out Oosthuizen
A world class putting display from Grace proved the difference on Sunday afternoon as he signed for a closing 62 to see off defending champion Oosthuizen in a tense back nine battle. There had been nothing to separate the pair as they reached the turn, with Oosthuizen sending the huge crowds at Randpark Golf Club into raptures with a hole-in-one at the eighth. But after both men had birdied the 11th, Grace reeled off three more gains at the 12th, 13th and 14th to win this event for the first time.
Trio claim Open spots
Grace achieved his pre-tournament ambition of adding this title to the Joburg Open, Alfred Dunhill Championship, Dimension Data Pro-Am and Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player he already had on his CV - but that is not all he takes away from Johannesburg this week. Grace's victory also saw him punch his ticket for The 149th Open at Royal St George's alongside Armitage and Jaco Ahlers, who finished third and joint fourth respectively. Second placed Oosthuizen had already booked his place at the oldest Major Championship. Grace will be playing in his tenth Open, with a previous best finish of sixth in 2017 - the year he made history by shooting the first 62 in Major Championship history.
Confirmed: The three qualifiers from The Open Qualifying Series South Africa are @BrandenGrace @marcusarmitage1 & @JacoAhlers. See you in July gents đ€ pic.twitter.com/ToQPt3WyQn
— The Open (@TheOpen) January 12, 2020
Armitage dedicates second Open chance to partner Lucy
After revealing in last week's Player Blog presented by Enterprise Rent-A-Car that 2019 had been a tough year for him and his partner Lucy, Englishman Armitage got the new year off to a stunning start - holing a clutch birdie putt on the 18th on Sunday to finish solo third and secure a place in this year's Open Championship. Last year the 32-year-old relied on credit cards while earning less than 15,000 euros in European Challenge Tour prize money after buying a house. His third place finish not only saw him pocket over five times last season's winnings but booked him a place at The Open for the second time after he qualified in 2018 but saw his chances of contending hampered by a freak injury. The Qualifying School graduate went indoor skydiving and dislocated his shoulder ten days before the event but was still on the first tee come Thursday, although he did not make the weekend. Armitage said: "It's hard for her. Shes working, we've got a house and we just don't get the quality time. This one's for Lucy. I can tell Lucy that she doesn't have to do any nails that week, she can book it off and we can go and enjoy The Open."
Oosthuizen ace
Home favourite Oosthuizen made a steady but unspectacular start to his final round, reeling off seven straight pars before making his way to the eighth. His tee shot looked to be heading right and towards the water but it came back, took a big hop left off the fringe and rolled into the cup for the second ace of the season - and the crowd absolutely loved it.
Start them young
Amateur Jayden Trey Schaper raised a few eyebrows as he matched playing partner Oosthuizen's 65 on Thursday. On day two he went two shots better than the 2010 Open Champion before producing scores of 69 and 70 over the weekend to finish the week in a tie for sixth on 13 under. But the 18-year-old wasn't the only youngster impressing the spectators this week...