Gordon J Brand dies aged 65, tributes paid

Brand was a member of the 1983 Ryder Cup team that lost to the US by just a point at PGA National Golf Club in Florida and another career highlight was finishing runner up to Greg Norman at the 1986 Open.

The Englishman’s only European Tour victory came at the Belgian Open in 1989, winning by six strokes from Mark Davis.

The European Tour’s chief operating officer Keith Waters said: “We are all saddened to hear of Gordon’s passing. We shared the same coach when played together on Tour during the 1980s and I can honestly say not only was he a distinguished player, but he was also universally well-liked.

“Gordon had such a laid-back approach. I don’t think I ever saw him up uptight. He really was so friendly to everyone.”

Former Ryder Cup captain Mark James added: “He’s going to missed by an awful lot of people. There were so many facets to his character that made him appeal to so many.”

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