Branden Grace held on to claim a maiden Race to Dubai title in capturing the Joburg Open.

Grace, ranked 258th in the world, posted a last day 72 to finish just one stroke in front of England’s Jamie Elson who brilliantly eagled the last in a 63 to grab second place at 16-under par. 

Branden Grace captures 2012 Joburg Open title. (Photo - Luke Walker/www.golffile.ie)

Grace, who honed his game with the help of the Ernie Els Foundation, was competing in just his second main tour event since securing his card late last year at the European Tour Q-School.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Grace.

“It’s nice to win in front of a home crowd and I wouldn’t exchange it for anything else.

“It was pretty tough out there today. I played really nicely, I hit the ball superb I think, and the putter was just cold – I couldn’t get the speed of the greens going today. Fortunately at the end of the day it was enough.

“I think there was one big key today, Zack [Rasego] on the bag kept me calm throughout the whole day so big thanks to him.”

Victory takes the 27-year old Grace to the front in the 2012 Race to Dubai with earnings this year of Euro 220,000 and some Euro 50,000 ahead of fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen.

Fortunately, thunderstorms that had plagued the event, were not present with Grace returning to the course early on Sunday morning to play his last three holes of his third round ahead of his last round play.

The Scotland pair of David Drysdale (67) and Marc Warren (68) were among six players to share third place on 14-under par.

Warren goes straight into eight place on the money list with Euro 53,972 in his first event of the New Year.