Brandon Stone might have enjoyed one of his finest weeks in recent times, but he said the faltering start to his final round at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic had felt like “doing a couple of rounds with Mike Tyson”.
The 27-year-old South African started the final day at the Majlis Course in the penultimate group, two shots behind the leader Paul Casey.
His challenge unfolded in the space of the first seven holes, though. The three bogeys he made in that time matched the number he had made in his previous 40 holes in the event.
“It felt horrible, like I was doing a couple of rounds with Mike Tyson,” Stone said.
“I felt like I couldn't get the ball on the green, and like I was putting from a distance, and every time I was putting I was putting for par.
“The long walk from the 9th green to the 10th tee box kind of reset everything. I kind of just said, ‘All you have to do is hit one good shot and one good shot’.”
His inner monologue did the trick. He birdied three of the next four holes, and eventually signed for level-par 72.
It gave him a tournament total of 13-under, which was four strokes behind the winner Casey, but enough for second place on his own.
“I’m extremely proud of the performance I put up this week,” Stone said.
“I played some lovely golf, considering I was, I think I was 2-over through five holes on Thursday. So it's a fantastic fightback.
“Any time you're going to be in contention here at the Emirates, it's quite special.
"The media have been supporting this tournament for many years, and the illustrious list of winners that have their name on the trophy is quite special.
“And on top of all that, I got to play with Sergio [Garcia, in the final round] which is like a boyhood dream come true. Other than that it was a horrible week!”
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England's Paul Casey after winning the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on Sunday, January 31, 2021. Getty -
Paul Casey after winning the Dubai Desert Classic. Getty -
England's Paul Casey celebrates with the trophy after winning in Dubai. Getty -
Paul Casey with his caddie John McLaren. Getty -
Paul Casey celebrates his victory in Dubai. Getty -
Paul Casey hits his tee shot on the 7th hole at the Emirates Golf Club on his way to a final round of 70. Getty -
Scotland's Robert Macintyre plays his second shot on the 2nd hole on his way to a final round 74. Getty -
Paul Casey plays his second shot on the 9th hole. Getty -
Paul Casey plays his second shot on the 16th hole. Getty -
Paul Casey plays his second shot on the 2nd hole. Getty -
Kalle Samooja of Finland hits his tee shot on the 8th hole on his way to a final round 71. Getty -
Sergio Garcia plays his second shot on the 10th hole. Getty -
Brandon Stone on the 2nd hole. Getty -
Paul Casey of England hits his tee shot on the 14th hole. Getty -
Robert Macintyre putts on the 14th hole. Getty -
England's Justin Rose chips in on the 18th hole as he finished with a final round 77. Getty
Stone has three European Tour wins so far in his career, with the most recent coming at the Scottish Open in 2018. He did have one runner-up finish in the 2020 season, in Oman.
Despite starting within reach of the leader on the final day at Emirates Golf Club, he said the thought of raising the Dallah Trophy scarcely entered his mind.
“It wasn't really in much consideration,” Stone said.
“Especially after the first six holes and I'm 3-over par, I didn't really think about winning a tournament anymore.
“It was more a case of playing some good golf. That's the mentality I've had for the last few months and it's served me well so far. Hopefully, I can carry that with me for the rest of the season.”
Stone finished a place ahead of Robert MacIntyre, whose own challenge wilted with a final-round 74, playing in the final match with Casey.
The Scottish left-hander’s round fell apart with a run of four successive bogeys around the turn.
“Sometimes it doesn't go for you, and today was one of them days,” MacIntyre said.
“When I go away, I'll learn a lot. But I felt like I gave one away there today.”
