Dan Bradbury, from England made his Mom proud by winning the much contested Golf tourney held at cloudy Houghton Golf Club on Sunday afternoon.
With rain hogging headlines instead of the players on the green, Bradbury had to contend with other players from all over the world to rise to the occasion.
The crowd had been cheering him from the initial tee-off on Thursday and did not disappoint.
He earned a winner’s cheque of $165,000 (£136,500).
The big English finished with five birdies and a total of 21 under par. He faced stiff competition from Sami Valimaki, who finished second with 18 under par. Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Daniel van Tonder tied for third place.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said, smiling. Bradbury’s mother congratulated him on his victory and hugged him, saying, “I’m so proud of you”.
“Right now, it feels pretty good. It’s an incredible sensation. I was even more impressed by the course and the weather. The golf course is beautiful and in excellent condition,” Bradbury added.
He said Johannesburg and the prestigious Houghton golf course had captured his heart.
“Johannesburg is now without a doubt one of my favourite cities in the world. My mother was able to visit this week, and my father is at home dog-sitting. He’s missing out, but I’m sending him a special shout-out,” he told the cheering crowd made up of young and old, who were clamouring for his signature.
Bradbury who only turned professional in July and received a sponsor’s invite for the event, led after every round at Houghton Golf Club and closed out a three-shot win with a final-round 67.
He automatically qualifies to compete in the 151st Open Championship, which is scheduled to take place at the Royal Liverpool Golf Course in July 2023.
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, is an achievement for the (23) old from Yolkshire.
Image supplied (All smiles. Dan Bradbury winner of the 2022 Joburg Open posing with his award at the Houghton Golf Club on Sunday afternoon).
