Branden Grace surges on back nine to win LIV Golf Invitational event in Portland

Branden Grace claimed a two-shot victory at the LIV Golf Invitational tournament in Portland on Saturday thanks to a back nine that contained five birdies from the South African.

The 34-year-old world No 128 in the world pulled level with Carlos Ortiz with a birdie at the 13th, then birdied the 15th, 16th and 17th at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club to secure the win in the second event of the series.

"This new format, everything is amazing and everybody is having a blast," Grace said after the win in the 54-hole event in which there is no cut and all 48 entrants earn some piece of a purse of more than $20 million. For winning the tournament, Grace collected $4m.

Grace carded a final-round 65 and finished two strokes in front of Mexico's Ortiz, who closed with a three-under par 69.

Two-time major-winner Dustin Johnson, at 17th in the world is the highest-ranked player so far to join the new series, started the day tied for the lead with Ortiz but finished tied for third with compatriot Patrick Reed on nine-under.

Johnson carded a one-under par 71 while former Masters champion Reed moved up with a five-under 67 that included a chip-in eagle at the 17th.

Grace had taken the outright lead with his birdie at 15 when his tee shot at 16 skipped through the fairway into a strip of rough alongside a cart path. His second shot went through the green, but he strengthened his grip on the lead by chipping in for birdie.

The team title went to the All-American quartet of Johnson, Reed, Talor Gooch and Pat Perez, each pocketing $750,000 in addition to their individual earnings.

The third LIV Golf event is scheduled for July 29-31 at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.

England's Paul Casey, ranked 26th in the world, revealed on