Dan Bradbury secured a life-changing wire-to-wire victory at the Joburg Open to claim his maiden DP World Tour title in just his third start, and with it a place at the 151st Open Championship.
The 23 year-old Englishman, who only turned professional in the summer, came into the week with no status on any tour but made the most of a sponsor’s invite at Houghton Golf Club, clinching a magnificent three-shot win as the 2023 season got off to a memorable start.
Having gone into the final round with a narrow one-stroke lead, Bradbury produced a brilliant display of frontrunning on Sunday, stretching his lead throughout the day before signing for a closing 67 to finish the tournament on 21 under par.
Bradbury carded five birdies, with his only blemish coming at the final hole, but the highlight of his round was a par saving chip-in at the sixth which kept the chasing pack at bay at a crucial moment.
Sami Välimäki finished alone in second on 18 under, one shot ahead of Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Daniel van Tonder in a tie for third.
Bradbury said, ‘It won't sink in for a few days, I don't think.
‘It's just a lot of pressure taken off your back - that's nice - but it hasn't sunk in yet and I don't think it will for a while.
‘I was a bit worried there on the 15th when Välimäki rolled that monster in but it was kind of the same thing all week, just keep playing my own game and I knew I was playing good enough.’
Not only did Bradbury close out a phenomenal victory, but he also booked his ticket to The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool in 2023 as part of The Open Qualifying Series.
