Emotional Win for Brandon Stone at 1st European Tour of the Year in South Africa
Congratulations to Brandon Stone who won the South African Open on Sunday, securing the first European Tour trophy of the year. It was an emotional victory for the 22-year-old who confessed that he had to have “a little silent pep talk” with himself after not playing “the most convincing golf” of his life earlier on in the tournament. He turned it […]
Congratulations to Brandon Stone who won the South African Open on Sunday, securing the first European Tour trophy of the year.
It was an emotional victory for the 22-year-old who confessed that he had to have “a little silent pep talk” with himself after not playing “the most convincing golf” of his life earlier on in the tournament.
He turned it around, and with both his grandfather and father watching him, Stone was overcome with emotion as he played his last hole.
He told reporters afterwards that “it was incredible having my grandfather and my father here this week…there’s going to be a few tears shed later…as there was earlier.”
One of the first to congratulate Stone on his first European Tour win was tournament host and South African golfing legend Ernie Els. Stone tweeted a picture after the win saying “My Gramps, Pops and myself can never get too much of @TheBig_Easy [Ernie Els].”
A Golf Channel presenter summed up Stone with these words: “His dad was a great player, his granddad was a great player. He’s got a great relationship with Ernie Els. Word on the street is this…Brandon Stone – he’s got game, and he is a ball striker, ladies and gentlemen.”
Stone, previously a winner of the amateur title, played college golf at the University of Texas, USA, and was a first team All-American, as well as being named Freshman of the Year. At the age of 20, he turned pro.
The South African golfer said that after winning the Lion of Africa Cape Town Open a couple of months ago, it opened the flood gates and that he is “hoping to ride this wave for as long as I can”.
“[Bezuidenhout]…say it for me one more time.”
Stone finished two shots ahead of fellow South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout whose name one of the Golf Channel presenters mispronounced…to her co-presenter’s delight. “Say it for me one more time” he begs. She obliges, and again teasingly refers to Bezuidenhout at the end of the video – take a listen below.
Rain and storms shortened and delayed play during the tournament which took place in the city of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
Watch Video: First win of 2016: Stone takes South African Open
Watch Video: Interview with Brandon Stone
On Twitter…
Great end to the #BMWSAOpen and congrats again @BrandonMStone on winning! Great support from crowds! #Ekhuruleni pic.twitter.com/XtSRZxtF8b
— Ernie Els (@TheBig_Easy) January 10, 2016
Special moment #BMWSAOpen #ErnieElsWine stand. My Gramps, Pops and myself can never get to much of @TheBig_Easy pic.twitter.com/KdJ5Np7vqC
— Brandon Stone (@BrandonMStone) January 9, 2016