“When my dad turned pro at 19, he came out to South Africa for about eight weeks by himself. He missed six of the eight cuts, went home with 50 quid," the younger Jacklin said.

“He came back the next year and played well in the events and got the experience. That was like his stepping stone, and we just thought that this would be a good opportunity.” he adds.

Double major winner Tony Jacklin won the Kimberley Tournament in the early days of his career and went on to win the Open Championship in 1969 and the US Open the following year, along with numerous wins on the European Tour.

Son Sean, 23, spent last year on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica, during which he made six cuts in 11 tournaments, finishing in the top 10 once, and three times in the top 25. He said he was looking for a better way to get to that next stage in his professional career which also began when he was 19.

He grabbed the chance early on, opening with a three-under-par 69 at Bloefontein Golf Club, before heading over to Schoeman Park for his next two rounds, and then back again for the fourth.

At that point, there would be a cut to the top 60 players and ties, and then, on Saturday, those remaining would do battle for the 30 cards.

“Right now, the goal is simply to get the card and see where I stand when I do,” Jacklin said.

“I'm here primarily to get into the bigger events. I want to get to those co-sanctioned events. Getting world status, and getting my ranking to where you get invitations -- I feel if I keep plugging away, eventually some doors will open.”

With four rounds ahead of him, and with experience at some other qualifying schools, he was acutely aware of the hard work ahead of him.

“My dad keeps on saying that I need to be aware that this is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said.

“I'm really looking forward to the next couple of days.”