Former Ryder Cup player Gordon Brand Jnr has died suddenly at the age of 60, just two weeks after commentating at The Open Championship.
He suffered a heart attack on Wednesday, and died just hours after playing a practice round in preparation for this week’s Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at the London Golf Club.
Brand Jr, who was born in Kirkcaldy in Scotland, but lived in Bristol, starred in the 1987 and 1989 Ryder Cups, the first of which, under captain Tony Jacklin, saw Europe win on US soil for the first time. And he starred again two years later when Europe retained the cup after a 14-14 draw at The Belfry.
His first win on the European Tour came when he beat Greg Norman by three shots to win the 1982 Coral Classic in Wales. He won eight times in all and played in The Open 18 times. His best finish was a tie for fifth in 1992.
At the time of his death, he was combining playing on the senior tour with a career in broadcasting, and was working at Portrush last month as part of the R&A’s live radio service.
Sir Nick Faldo was one of the first to pay tribute to his friend and former Ryder Cup teammate. “I played lots of tournament golf all across Europe with Gordon back in the day and his record shows what a good player he was,” Faldo told Telegraph Sport. “However we unanimously all agree it was his character that was his 15th club. Gordon always twisting a line or adding a cheeky comment to have a laugh and raise a smile. Fanny Sunesson, my old caddie who also worked for Gordon for a while, spoke with him at the Open and she said that he was happy and enjoying life. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.”
Former Ryder Cup skipper Sam Torrance wrote: “Heart broken to hear of the passing of Gordon Brand Jnr one of my dearest friends for over 40 years, I will miss you RIP.”
A minute’s silence was held at the PGA Seniors Championship in his honour.