1958-2019: Gordon Brand Jr passes away aged 60

Eight-time European Tour winner and former Ryder Cup player Gordan Brand Jr has died at the age of 60

The decorated Scottish player, who starred in both the 1987 and 1989 editions of the Ryder Cup, has passed away at age 60 – just two weeks after he commentated on Open radio at Royal Portrush. 

Brand Jr, who was born in Kirkaldy, Scotland in 1958, made over 600 appearances across the European Tour and the Staysure Tour and was still competing on the senior circuit. 

The news was announced on twitter this morning by the Staysure Tour, who tweeted ““We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Gordon Brand Jnr. Our deepest sympathies are with his family at this time.”

Head of Staysure Tour, Mark Aspland, said: “It is with great sadness that we have awoken to the news of the passing of Gordon Brand Jnr.

“Gordon was a huge advocate of the game and one of the stars of Scottish golf during his time on the European Tour. His 12 years on the Staysure Tour will be remembered fondly, especially his debut win in Jersey.

“He will be sorely missed by everyone at the Staysure Tour and our thoughts are with his wife Sheena and his close friends at this time.”

Gordan Brand Jr: A Career Remembered

Remembering the career of eight-time European Winner Gordon Brand Jr

Following a highly success amateur career, Gordon Brand Jr followed in the footsteps of his father (club professional Gordon Brand Sr) and turned professional in 1981, before joining the European Tour a year later.

His rookie season was an overwhelming success, besting Greg Norman to his first title at 1982 Coral Classic in Wales, and winning again three months later at the Bob Hope British Classic. 

Brand Jr’s next European Tour title came after another two years on Tour with a three shot victory at the Celtic International in August, and he added a fourth win a few weeks later at the Panasonic European Open.

Victories number five and six both came in 1987 at the KLM Open and Scandanavian Open, and that year is one remembered as a significant milestone in Brand Jr’s career – becoming part of the victorious European Ryder Cup team at Muirfield Village. 

He would play in one more Ryder Cup – helping Europe to retain the cup in 1989 – which was also the year he claimed the Benson & Hedges International Open by a single shot. Brand Jr recorded his final European Tour win in 1993, a seven-stroke triumph at the GA European Open, before joining the Senior circuit in 2008, winning once in 2010 and again in 2013. 

In addition to his 10 worldwide victories, Brand Jr was also a regular commentator for The Open Radio, where he appeared just two weeks ago to commentate on Shane Lowry’s first major win in Ireland. 

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of the European Tour, said: “Everyone at the European Tour is deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of Gordon Brand Jnr.

“Gordon was a tremendous supporter of both the European Tour and the Staysure Tour over four decades and had a very successful career. We send our sincere condolences to his wife Sheena and his many close friends who will greatly miss his humour and friendship.”

Tributes pour in for Gordan Brand Jr 

Sam Torrance, Graeme Storm and Justin Rose were among the players to pay tribute to Gordon Brand Jr after the announcement of his passing.