Dan Bradbury targets more Joburg success after Open delight 

Dan Bradbury is hoping he can build on the momentum of securing a return to The Open by mounting another title challenge in Johannesburg at the Investec South African Open Championship.

While the Englishman was unable to successfully defend his title at the Joburg Open last week, the 24-year-old secured one of three spots on offer into the field for golf’s oldest Major Championship by finishing third at Houghton Golf Club.

A final-round 64 in the opening event of the Open Qualifying Series ensured his place at Royal Troon, having made his Open Championship debut earlier this year at Royal Liverpool.

Bradbury sits fourth in the fledgling standings on the Race to Dubai Rankings in partnership with Rolex for the 2024 season and is now eager to build on his stellar record on South African soil as the Opening Swing continues.

"I'm very happy with the result of last week, but I probably didn't play my best stuff, especially on the greens and around the greens.

"So hopefully we can, we can keep the long game up and get the short game dialled in."

Asked what earning a return to The Open meant, he added: "Everything. I think for anybody outside of America, it's the event. 

"Just to get the opportunity to tee it up there again, it's going to be really special and I'm already looking forward to it."

Prior to his fine start to the new season last week, Bradbury recorded four top 20s in as many starts at the end of the last campaign to finish 36th on the Race to Dubai Rankings.

During that run, he finished fifth on debut at the Nedbank Golf Challenge and says there are no real secrets to why he feels so at home in South Africa.

"To be honest I think it is the weather, this time of year as well," he said. "It's just a nice time of year coming off the back of the finish to the Race to Dubai, there is not much pressure on so I am just going out there and playing golf.”

South Africa's long-standing national Open is being held at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate for the second year running.

The Gary Player-designed layout measures 8,233 yards and is extending its record as the longest course on the DP World Tour, having only eclipsed the previous record 12 months ago.

Asked for his thoughts on the challenge it poses, he said: "Because the holes are such vast expanses, you have to be really specific with your targets.

"It's not tree lined. Your eyes don't focus in on a certain thing. So you've got to really be precise with where you're aiming.

"I think it is putting [is the key] to be honest. The greens are so big that you are going to have long putts so pace control will need to be dialled in and then hole out well."