Brandon just a Stone's throw from golf legends

14 January 2016 - 02:10 By Michael Vlismas

The Claret Jug stands next to the first tee on the East Course of Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club as a potent reminder of the bonus of doing well in this week's Joburg Open. The leading three golfers not already exempt for the Open, who finish in the top 10 and ties will earn a place on the tee at Royal Troon in July.And even for 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie, the mere sight of the Claret Jug is still inspiring."It's one of those trophies in golf that is just so famous and easily recognisable," said Lawrie, who joins Ernie Els and Trevor Immelman as the other Major winner in this year's 10th anniversary edition of the Joburg Open.The 22-year-old Brandon Stone has not only been grouped with Els - "a guy I've grown up watching and idolising" - he also got a call from Gary Player.Stone said he initially thought "one of my mates is winding me up" and told the caller to prove he really was the legend."Then he said we'd had dinner at the Masters on the Monday last year. That's when I realised it really was him."George Coetzee is back as the 2014 champion in a tournament the South Africans have always dominated, winning six of the nine Joburg Opens. Coetzee is a man still trying to play his way back to form following recovery from a broken ankle...

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