Brandon Stone claimed his second European Tour title in style with a seven shot victory at the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Sunday.
The South African produced a closing 67 at Leopard Creek Country Club, Melelane in Mpumalanga, South Africa to finish the week on 22 under par and secure his second trophy of the calendar year after winning January’s BMW SA Open hosted by City of Ekurhuleni.
Stone began the day three shots clear of the chasing pack, but he had company at the top of the leaderboard early on Sunday after Charl Schwartzel – a four-time winner of this event – notched three birdies in his opening six holes to join his countryman on 17 under.
But, after safely parring his first five holes, Stone made a gain at the sixth to regain the outright lead. He made further gains at the 13th and 14th to get 22 under and open up a six-shot gap.
Stone dropped his second shot of the day at the 17th before finishing with a birdie at the last to move to 22 under.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I knew I could score and I holed some great putts at the first three holes on that back nine which really got the momentum going.” He added, “I just played some incredible golf the whole week to be fair.”[/perfectpullquote]
The 23-year-old was delighted to start the new season with a win. He said: “To get this win before Christmas is obviously great but more importantly it gets me a good start on the Race to Dubai.”
Known on the circuit for his superior ball-striking, and having been regarded as one with “Major-winning potential” by Roope Kakko, this win will definitely be a good stepping stone for the South African as he prepares for the next tour. He finished 50th this year.
Photo by PetriOeschger/SunshineTour/Gallo images
