Grace and Westwood claim titles in Asia

South Africa’s Branden Grace secured his third win in his rookie season on the European Tour by claiming the Volvo China Open Sunday.

Grace claimed two wins on home soil earlier this year but his three-shot success in the $3 million tournament was his most notable triumph to date.

Meanwhile, England’s world number three Lee Westwood defended his Indonesian Masters crown after an “exhausting” 32 holes of play Sunday.

It was the first win of the season for Westwood, who finished two shots out of the playoff at the U.S. Masters earlier this month.

The 23-year-old Grace is hoping his string of victories will act as a springboard for success in the majors, with rounds of 67, 67, 64 and 69 leaving him clear of Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium at the co-sanctioned OneAsia and European Tour event.

“To have three before May is literally unbelievable, but I’ve been playing well so I’ve been feeling like I can win and I’ve been giving myself opportunities,” he told the official European Tour website.

“I want to win more titles and I want to play the majors and make a name for myself around the world.”

Grace picked up a check for $530,000 for his efforts at the Tianjin Binhai Lake course.

England’s Richard Finch, who closed with a 66, finished a shot back behind Colsaerts in third.

Westwood was battling to a 38th career win at the Royal Jakarta Golf Club, finishing two shots ahead of Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant.

Westwood had an eight shot lead going into the final round of the Asian Tour event, but carded a two-over 74 to give his rivals a glimmer of hope.

“It was draining out there and I was really feeling it on the back nine. When you are in contention and under pressure, it seems to zap your energy faster,” Westwood told AFP at the finish of the weather-hit event.

“It was a case of staying patient and calm and playing the holes correctly. It was exhausting.”