Brandon Stone is a three-time DP World Tour champion who has been placing at the top of Europe’s premier events since 2016. Three years before he turned pro, he represented South Africa at the 2016 Rio Olympics and finished T12 at the 2018 PGA Championship.
But back in 2022, the South African was out of form and in danger of being relegated to the Challenge Tour – seven years after he made his first cut. Rather than going to Qualifying School for one more shot at retaining his place, the now 31-year-old simply didn't go.
The South African explained his thoughts at the time, speaking in the DP World Tour 'green room' at the 2024 British Masters, where Stone was briefly in contention before Niklas Norgaard stormed off the course.
He said: “Well, it was awful, to be honest with you. I remember it very clearly, it was in 2022, and I looked in the mirror and I didn't recognize that person. I didn't recognize that golfer.
“I had no confidence, my game wasn't there, I didn't even play the last tournament of the season to try and keep my qualification. I just didn't think there was any way I could shoot under par. I didn't even go to Q-school.
“I need to earn my self-esteem back.” @BrandonMStone one shot behind on the weekend 📈 #BetfredBritishMasters pic.twitter.com/mEaTvDHcmvAugust 30, 2024
“I remember very clearly that if I had gone to Q-school, there was no way I would have gotten my card back. That was probably the lowest point in my golf career, feeling like I couldn't even hit a number. I felt like I had lost my way. I felt like I had lost my eligibility to play on the DP World Tour because I did this. I wasn't good enough.
“I needed to work on not just winning back my card, I needed to win back my respect, my self-esteem, because I had lost it along the way. It's hard to put my finger on when that happened.”
Stone explained that he had restarted his career and had taken to the Challenge Tour with a renewed determination, eager to work his way back to the DP World Tour.
He accomplished this goal with six top-10 finishes, including a runner-up finish in the B-NL Challenge Cup, and a tie for 11th at the season-ending Challenge Tour Finals in Mallorca.
Stone, who is hoping to secure a fourth DP World Tour victory in the near future, admits he is grateful for the journey he has been on.
Brandon Stone holds the Alfred Dunhill Championship trophy in 2016
(Image source: Getty Images)
He continued: “You come in and see, it’s been a really great season for me on the Challenge Tour. [Challenge Tour Grand Final] There was a chance to get my card back and I remember vividly getting my card back.
“When I got back to the hotel room, I don't know why, I just looked up, I was sitting on the edge of the bed, there was a mirror, and for the first time in over a year I recognised myself. I recognised I was a player. I was very happy.
“My decision to return to the Challenge Tour kind of validates my right to play here again.”