Mum the word for Bradbury

DAN DESPERATE NO LONGER

ENGLAND’S Dan Bradbury completed a fairytale victory at the Joburg Open to go from having no status on any tour to being the proud owner of a DP World Tour membership and a spot at the 2023 Open.

The 23-year-old, who turned professional in July and received a sponsor’s invite for this week’s event, led after every round at Houghton Golf Club and closed out a three-shot win with his final-round 67.

Bradbury began the day with a one-stroke advantage but built up a more comfortable lead during an impressive fourth round which featured five birdies, a solitary bogey at the 18th, and a crucial chip-in for par at the sixth hole.

The Yorkshireman, playing in just his third DP World Tour event, finished the tournament on 21 under par to win his maiden title. Sami Valimaki was alone in second on 18 under after his closing 69, with home favourites Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Daniel van

Tonder another shot back in joint-third.

Bradbury, who has booked his ticket to the Open at Royal Liverpool along with Valimaki and Bezuidenhout as part of the Open Qualifying Series, was still in shock after walking off the 18th green as a champion.

He said: “It won’t sink in for a few days.

“I was a bit worried on the 15th when Valimaki rolled a monster in but I just kept playing my own game and I knew I was playing well enough.” Speaking about his mother being there to witness the win, Bradbury (below) added: “It made it a little bit more special.” Cameron Smith also had family support as he won the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship after finishing three strokes clear in Brisbane.

Paying tribute to his grandmother, who walked all 72 holes despite having recently undergone chemotherapy, Smith said: “I can’t believe she did it. It’s pretty amazing and definitely inspiring.”

The Open champion and Liv Golf rebel held a three-shot overnight lead and fired a final-round three-underpar 68 to close on 14 under and secure the title for a third time. World No.3 Smith, tournament winner in 2017 and 2018, added: “I didn’t think I had it in me at the start of the week but my game’s got better.”