England’s Dan Bradbury claimed his second Joburg Open title in dramatic fashion at the Houghton Golf Club on Sunday.
Related: Hennie du Plessis in the hunt again for Joburg glory
With the lead changing several times over the closing six holes, Bradbury held his nerve and produced a birdie on 17 and then a sublime chip from the back of the 18th to save par at the last and claim the title on 17 under with a closing 65.
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Casey Jarvis missed a six-footer at the last that would have forced a playoff as he closed with a 66 to share second place with Brandon Robinson Thompson (66) on 16 under par.
With this victory, Bradbury adds to his 2022 triumph and becomes only the third player in Joburg Open history to win this title more than once, after South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel and Richard Sterne.
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“It’s amazing. It’s a great feeling. It’s so nice to have so many people here that I know,” said Bradbury.
It was a thrilling final back nine to this tournament.
Hennie du Plessis went into it with a three-stroke lead over the field but then stumbled with two bogeys and a double bogey in five holes.
Thompson then looked to be in control before two bogeys in his final four holes set him back.
With the fortunate position of being in the last group, Bradbury could watch it all unfold and set himself a target.
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“The three birdies in a row at holes nine, 10 and 11 was probably the turning point for me and it got me back in the tournament. Then at holes 12 and 13 I knew I’m in this,” he said.
An aggressive second over the back of the 18th green left him with a difficult chip to save the par he needed to win. And he executed it to perfection and within inches of the hole.
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“That chip on 18 – I’m not known for my short game so I was really pleased with that one. I was literally shaking over it and I’m really happy it came out like it did.”
Bradbury has now given himself a massive boost to chase the goal he’d set for himself at the start of the season.
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“The goal was to get one of those 10 PGA TOUR cards, and this has made it that much more realistic.”
