Persevering with his unique column for Golf Information, DP World Tour participant DAN BRADBURY experiences again on an excellent begin to his 2026 marketing campaign, which began with a runner-up end on the big-money Nedbank Problem in South Africa in December, and progressed via some robust performances within the Desert Swing, earlier than he returned to the winner’s circle with an exhilarating victory on the Joburg Open at Houghton Golf Membership in Johannesburg, scene of his first skilled win in 2022.
“It feels superb to have the ability to begin off my first column of the 12 months and be speaking a few win, however right here we’re. I gained’t say that it was overdue or that it was anticipated, as with 9 holes to go on the Joburg Open I don’t assume even my greatest followers held a lot hope of something past perhaps a top-three end, but it surely simply goes to indicate that you just simply have to hold your self within the combine, as something can occur down the closing stretch of a match when there may be a lot on the road.
I used to be within the last group out on the course on Sunday, enjoying alongside dwelling favorite Henni du Plessis, who had a two-shot lead over me and Alex Fitzpatrick. Henni had being enjoying brilliantly all week and hadn’t made a bogey in one thing like 22 holes going into the again 9 and cruising to a snug win. He was 5 away from me on the flip and I used to be desperately attempting to carry on and hoping for a robust end to maintain me someplace up on the high finish of the leaderboard.
However stress has a behavior of doing humorous issues to you, and with Henni eyeing up his first win at this degree, he dropped pictures at 12 and 15, whereas I made birdies at 10, 11 and 14, and immediately the door was open for the me and the chasing pack.
Jarvis Casey, who was going for his third win in as many weeks, and Brandon Robinson-Thompson have been additionally within the combine, however they each dropped pictures late on and I discovered myself standing on the 18th tee needing to make par to win. It’s what you dream of – having the match in your palms.
I hit a good drive, and left myself round 160 yards in, however with the wind swirling about I misjudged my strategy and it rolled into the tough in the back of the inexperienced about 20 toes from the pin. I’m a fairly assured chipper, however even I stunned myself about how I dedicated to the shot below that stress and was delighted when it popped up, skipped ahead and rolled out to tap-in vary.
After profitable this occasion in 2022, which was additionally held at Houghton, I clearly got here into the match with some good reminiscences and a few optimistic vibes, however that was 4 years in the past, so you may’t merely cling on to the previous an excessive amount of. I’m unsure why the course appears to deliver out the perfect in me, but it surely’s much like the course at Wakefield Golf Membership, the place I grew up enjoying. It’s fairly tight, tree-lined and also you’ve bought to drive it effectively. I did that and putted fairly effectively too, so all of it type of fell into place.
HANDBRAKE OFF, ALMOST
Clearly it feels nice to have bagged a win so early within the season, and to have backed up the shape I’ve been displaying for the previous couple of weeks, though the scores haven’t all the time proven it. Previous to Joburg Open I had some first rate outcomes, with a second-place end on the NedBank Problem, additionally in South Africa, again in December actually getting the season off to a robust begin.
That end result – the prize cash for second was over €400,000 – just about secured my card for 2027 in a single go and gave me the type of momentum each participant goals of going into the 2026. I don’t ever assume like I’m simply attempting to maintain my card yearly, however understanding that’s taken care of does mean you can play with the handbrake off, to a sure extent, and should have performed its half in me profitable in Johannesburg.
After placing the golf equipment away over Christmas and the New Yr, I headed out to Dubai in early January a couple of days early earlier than the Invitational and the Desert Basic and bought caught into some good apply to shake off the rust. I made the reduce on the two occasions in Dubai, then missed the one in Bahrain by a pair pictures, however didn’t really feel like I’d performed that badly.
I then had an incredible week in Qatar, firing 4 rounds within the 60s to complete fifth. That end result felt notably satisfying as a result of in Bahrain I’d had a two‑manner miss creep in, which I hadn’t seen for some time. I don’t actually like being too technical with my swing – I hadn’t even videoed it for a few months – however after Bahrain I felt like I wanted to verify what was happening on digicam, and positive sufficient, I noticed a few unhealthy habits. I tidied these up in Qatar and my recreation felt actually strong all week.
Humorous factor is, within the first spherical in Qatar I had three three‑putts and nonetheless shot two below. It didn’t really feel like something particular on the time, however after taking a look at it correctly, I realised the ball‑hanging will need to have been actually robust. That gave me an excellent push heading into the remainder of the week. I didn’t fairly get the end I needed – I bogeyed 17 after going for a birdie putt and attempting to push for the win, however ended up lacking the one again. I’d all the time somewhat chase a win than tiptoe to a high‑ten, so I don’t remorse attempting to push and be optimistic, even it prices me a spot or two.
SMELLING THE ROSES… AND THE ROSÉ
After Qatar I flew dwelling for per week off, then headed out to Kenya the place issues didn’t fairly go to plan. I missed the reduce by two pictures, which wasn’t superb, however once more, I don’t really feel like I did rather a lot improper. From there we headed right down to Cape City for the South African Open at Stellenbosch.
My girlfriend, Brogan, has been travelling with me all this 12 months, which has made life on the highway rather a lot simpler. It’s really easy if you’re by yourself to fall right into a routine of lodge rooms and Netflix, however having somebody with you provides you a cause to exit and take time to get pleasure from a number of the superb locations we get to go on tour. We visited a few wine estates and a recreation reserve round Stellenbosch, ate in some unbelievable eating places, and loved doing a little bit of sightseeing.
We even visited Ernie Els’ winery, which has some nice wines and a few unreal views. I’ve by no means truly performed with Ernie, however I’ve stood subsequent to him on the vary. Even at his age, he’s horrifying. The tempo, the gap, how effortlessly he swings – it’s one thing else. He’s one of many nicest guys you’ll ever meet too.
Sadly, I didn’t play nice in Stellenbosch and missed the reduce by one, so we had a bit extra time to benefit from the native sights earlier than heading to Johannesburg, the place all of it got here good for me.
DRIVING FOR DOUGH
Taking a look at my efficiency stats up to now this season, I’m off to a good begin. My driving distance is up – from a mean of just below 300 yards to up above 310. Throughout my six‑week stretch off, I pushed myself more durable within the health club and it looks as if that has paid off. It didn’t essentially add uncooked velocity, but it surely has given me far more stability at larger speeds. For the primary time, I really feel like I’ve been in a position to deliver my ‘vary swing’ and ‘course swing’ nearer collectively. On the Nedbank in December, I drove the ball in addition to I ever have. That’s carried into this 12 months. I’ve gained distance with out shedding accuracy, which is the right mixture.
My greens in regulation stats are higher too, though I don’t actually take a look at GIR itself – ‘Strokes Gained’ is way extra telling. Besides, for those who’re 10-15 yards nearer on each strategy, you’re going to hit extra greens. There’s undoubtedly been an enchancment in my strategy play although, and never only a aspect impact of longer tee pictures.
Gear‑clever, hardly something has modified this 12 months. Ping introduced out its new 259 wedges simply earlier than the Nedbank, so I had them within the bag that week and I’ve caught with them. I’ve switched into a brand new E‑grind lob wedge very lately, but it surely’s tiny changes, nothing dramatic. Some gamers change grinds relying on the course, however truthfully, 80 or 90 % of men don’t trouble. Possibly for one thing like The Open if the turf is rock‑arduous, however week to week, the identical setup works for me.
UNCERTAIN TIMES
Trying forward, the schedule will get fascinating with the Asian Swing. Proper now, the plan is to play the primary two occasions in India and China, however clearly with all the things taking place with hostilities within the Center East in the meanwhile, who is aware of how journey will likely be affected. The tour hasn’t stated something, so we’ve to imagine all the things’s going forward, but it surely’s unimaginable to foretell proper now.
After these two occasions, I’m taking 4 weeks off in April as a result of I’ve principally been going non‑cease since mid‑January. 9 occasions in 11 weeks is rather a lot. I’ll in all probability head to Portugal for a golf vacation with some mates, reset, after which begin again in Turkey on the finish of April after which Barcelona for the Catalunya Championship within the second week of Could as we transfer into the Europe-based a part of the schedule.
Apart from that, the objectives are fairly easy – put myself into competition extra usually, ideally decide up one other win, and look to push for one of many ten PGA Tour playing cards which are on provide on the finish of the season. The sport’s trending in the suitable course. If I hold doing the suitable issues, I’ll hopefully give myself each likelihood.”
