Dan Bradbury

Recipient of a late invitation to November’s Joburg Open, first event of The Open Qualifying Series and only his third start on the DP World Tour, the former Yorkshire boys’ captain stunned even himself with an incredible wire-to-wire three-stroke victory over Sami Valimaki.

Bradbury, only a few months into his professional career and with no Tour status, teed off at 1,397th on the world rankings, but began with an eight-under-par 63 which contained two eagles and seven birdies and eventually finished 21-under.

On being given the chance to play, he said: "It means the world - I wouldn't be stood here without it. I wouldn't have anywhere to play this year really. It's been life-changing now, so hopefully I make the most of it."

He spent four years at Lincoln Memorial University in the United States and achieved a record nine individual titles, then stepped up to Florida State University. His previous Tour start did offer a glimpse of what was to follow – he tied for 13th in October’s Spanish Open and that included a second round 64 and closing 65.