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Branden Grace excited for year ahead after RBC Heritage victory

Branden Grace is hoping a successful week at the RBC Heritage can once again be the performance which kickstarts his season.

The South African overcame a three-shot deficit during his final round at Harbour Town to post a five-under 66 and finish two shots clear of Luke Donald and Russell Knox.

Victory is Grace's first ever on the PGA Tour and his second of 2016, following his triumph on the European Tour at the Qatar Masters, with the 27-year-old now hoping to replicate the run he managed after last year's appearance in this tournament.  

Grace mixed seven birdies with two bogeys during the final round
Image: Grace mixed seven birdies with two bogeys during the final round

Ending tied-seventh in South Carolina last year sparked a run of form which saw Grace finish inside the top-20 a further 12 times worldwide during 2015, including top-four finishes at the US Open and PGA Championship, giving him plenty of encouragement for the months ahead.

"It's awesome and is something I have dreamt of," Grace told Sky Sports. "I've been out here over the past couple of years and have given myself some chances, so this is great.

"I played some flawless golf, even with two bogeys, but it was a tough day out there and you just had to grind it out.

"This is pretty much where it (form) started last year for me, as I had my first top-10 here on the PGA Tour last year and then it just kicked off.

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Grace's win followed a missed cut at last week's Masters
Image: Grace's win followed a missed cut at last week's Masters

"I was in a really good frame of mind coming in to this event and I'm now excited to see how the year turns out."

Donald, who has now made six top-three finishes since 2009 in this event, was joined in a tie-for-second by Knox after the Scot posted a final-round 67.

Knox broke in to the world's top 50 with victory at last year's WGC-HSBC Champions and was also a runner-up at the OHL Classic, with the 30-year-old delighted with his form ahead of a potentially busy year.

"Today I was thrilled, I played great all day and hit some nice putts at the end there," Knox told Sky Sports. "I was happy with the way I conducted myself and the shots over the last few holes.

Russell Knox now has three top-two finishes on the PGA Tour this season
Image: Russell Knox now has three top-two finishes on the PGA Tour this season

"I played beautifully on the first day, but I just made a mess of the first couple of holes which turned a good round in to a terrible feeling.

"Of course winning again and the Ryder Cup are goals of mine now, but I'm just trying to enjoying it. I'm so fortunate to be playing in these great tournaments, so I've just go to soak it all in and go for it."

The next event on the PGA Tour is the Valero Texas Open , which you'll be able to watch live throughout the week on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf

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