Inspired Merrick Bremner ready to take next step

After a lengthy break, five-time Sunshine Tour winner Merrick Bremner heads into this week’s Vodacom Origins of Golf tournament with some lofty goals as he seeks to take his career to the next level.

The 31-year-old South African joins a field at the Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate that includes multiple European Tour winner Brandon Stone. The first round tees off on Thursday.

Bremner said he was so inspired by in particular the performance of fellow Sunshine Tour campaigner Shaun Norris at last week’s Open Championship that he’s already targeted next year’s Open at Carnoustie as the site to make his Major championship debut.

“I love that golf course and I’m going to do everything I can to qualify for that,” said Bremner.

“Look at what Shaun Norris did at Royal Birkdale. He barely made the cut then went out early in the third round and shot a 65 and was lying 10^th at that stage. He played great. I mean, consider the fact that Branden Grace shot the lowest round ever in a men’s Major of 62, and Shaun was only three shots off that. There’s no doubt we’ve got the players with the right temperament here in South Africa.”

Bremner’s own talent has long been admired, and this was further endorsed with the announcement that he has been named alongside 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and Stone as a golf ambassador for Sun International.

“It’s amazing that a brand like Sun International want to be associated with me and I’m very proud of that. My goal for the rest of the year is just to win, and to win as much as I can. I’ve had a good break and done some great work, and I’m excited for the remainder of this year. My game’s in a good space.”

Part of Bremner’s goal to move to that next phase of his career is to win his first 72-hole tournament. His five victories on the Sunshine Tour have all been in 54-hole tournaments.

“It’s a great learning curve to play on the Sunshine Tour, but I’d like to win a four-round tournament now. I wouldn’t mind having that extra round so that I’m better prepared when I play on another Tour. So that’s my next goal – to win a four-round tournament.”