World No 14 Branden Grace loses himself in Macau aura but plans to find his way in time to stake Open title claim
South African star sees the gambling city for the first time but will be playing for high stakes on the course and not in the casinos
World number 14 Branden Grace can easily find his way round a golf course but Macau’s grandiose hotels and their labyrinth structures are a match for the best orienteers.
The South African spent 15 minutes lost in the newly opened Parisian Macao on the Cotai Strip on Tuesday after landing in the former Portuguese colony for the US$1.1 million Venetian Macao Open.
“I’ve never been lost in a hotel before,” said Grace as Macau lived up to everything – and more – described to him by good friend Ernie Els. “I’ve been to Vegas before but this place is phenomenal.
“Ernie talked so highly about Macau, and I’m sure I am going to have fun on and off the course. Luckily, I am from South Africa and I still think in rand terms so that keeps me grounded,” he said, referring to the temptations on the casino tables.
Grace has already won a jackpot-like sum this year with US$2.8 million in the bank thanks to a breakthrough win on US soil at the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour and a tied-fourth finish at the PGA Championship and a tied-fifth at the US Open.
