Stone Happy To Collect A Fourth Tour Win But He’s More Concerned For His Beloved Springboks

6 years ago by Comments Off on Stone Happy To Collect A Fourth Tour Win But He’s More Concerned For His Beloved Springboks

After an indifferent season, Portugal Masters​ front-runner Brandon Stone would dearly love to capture a fourth European Tour victory but the 26-year old is more-focussed ahead of the last round in cheering his beloved Springboks onto victory in the second semi-final of the World Cup in far off Japan.

Stone, and winner of last year’s Aberdeen Standard Investment Scottish Open, added a third straight score of 66 to move two shots clear of the field on 15-under par on the Dom Pedro Victoria course at Vilamoura.

In arriving on the Algarve, Stone has contested 23 events but missing the halfway cut in 10, and with his best finish being a T7th in last Decmember’s South African Open and his very first event on the 2018/19 Race to Dubai schedule.

It is the reason why the Pretoria-based golfer is lying well down in 147th place on the Race to Dubai and No. 237th on the World Rankings.

Springbok golfer Brandon Stone keen to see his beloved rugby team defeat Wales ahead of striving for a fourth European Tour victory. (Photo – European Tour/Getty)

Fortunately for Stone he has in his back pocket a two-year Tour exemption to the end of 2020 in capturing the Scottish Open.

And while Stone would dearly love to also be the first South African to lift the Portugal trophy, there is the matter of a critical rugby match at 9am local Portugal time that he and his fellow countryman will be watching, and that is cheering on their beloved Springboks in downing Wales in the match to decide who tackles England in next week’s 2019 Rugby World Cup final in Tokyo.

“It’s not been the season I was looking but no, I am not worried about the win or progressing into the ‘Final Series’,” he said when asked if a win would help turn around his poor season.

“It’s just been a nice week, to be fair.

“I sat by the pool yesterday and it’s beautiful weather here in Vilamoura again today, and I’ve played some great golf again today which makes breakfast and dinner taste.

“So, it’s just going to be ​​another round of golf and there is a very strong contingent of South Africans who will be watching the rugby tomorrow morning before we tee off which is fantastic.

“We will come out after the rugby to play the final 18 holes, so we will see where we end up.”
Indeed, there is no fewer than five South Africans in the leading eight heading into the final round and with Haydn Porteous and George Coetzee the earliest out at 12.30pm that leaves plenty of time to watch the rugby.
Stone is out in the last group not to 12.50pm local time.


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