Almost everyone involved in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic has had to alter their plans this week, after inclement weather caused it to be a five-day tournament, rather than four.
For Dan Bradbury, though, dealing with logistical issues is becoming a theme.
On Sunday, the young Englishman landed himself a new car when he aced in the 17th at Yas Links in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The manufacturers, Genesis, only deliver within the UAE, meaning he is still working out how to get the G70 Shooting Brake 2.0 Sport back home to his native Yorkshire.
“I’m sure we will get something sorted,” Bradbury, 23, said.
“I don’t have a car at home, so we will go with that option instead. I drive my dad’s old VW Estate. It is still running.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Tommy Fleetwood of England smile on course during Day Two of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on January 27, 2023. Getty Images -
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks across the 9th hole during Day Two of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Getty Images -
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland retrieves his ball after holing his second shot for an eagle on the 8th hole at Emirates Golf Club. Getty Images -
Rory McIlroy plays his second shot for an eagle on the 8th hole. Getty Images -
Rory McIlroy reacts after shooting for an eagle on the 8th hole. Getty Images -
Thomas Pieters of Belgium tees off on the 9th hole. Getty Images -
Thomas Pieters of Belgium putts the ball. AFP -
Thomas Pieters of Belgium tees off on the 8th hole. Getty Images -
Patrick Reed of the USA looks on during the first round on the second day of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. EPA -
Min Woo Lee of Australia, Thomas Pieters of Belgium and Victor Perez of France walk from the 8th tee. Getty Images -
Victor Perez of France throws a ball to his Caddie on the 9th green. Getty Images -
Ludvig Aberg of Sweden tees off on the 8th hole. Getty Images -
Tommy Fleetwood of England reacts ahead of a drop by the 9th hole green. Getty Images -
Staff at Emirates Golf Club ready the course for Day 2 of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic after more overnight rain. All photos: Paul Radley / The National -
A new water hazard has emerged next to the fifth hole on the Majlis Course. -
A new water hazard has emerged next to the fifth hole on the Majlis Course.
“A lot of people have sent messages saying I can give them a lift here and there.”
The shipping headache provided no distraction whatsoever on day three – and round two – in Dubai.
Playing just his sixth DP World Tour event, and his second Rolex Series tournament in the space of two weeks, Bradbury burnt up the Majlis with a stunning second round.
After reaching the turn in 31, it felt as though Ernie Els’s course record of 61 could be under threat. He coolled over the closing holes, finishing with four successive pars, but still carded a 9-under 63.
It took him to 8-under for the tournament, and meant he leapfrogged world No 1 Rory McIlroy in the process.
A vast gallery were already swarming McIlroy’s match at the first hole as Bradbury was arriving at the neighbouring ninth tee. Bradbury said he could not even see the Northern Irishman, so vast was the crowd.
He said he did not pay it a thought as he made it past McIlroy’s first-round score of 6-under because he was “in the zone”.
“I was on the fourth and had a quick look [at the leaderboard] but I wasn’t quite on it at that point,” Bradbury said.
“Then I just got onto the bottom of it and I was thinking, ‘Oh, right, I’m doing alright.’
“It is just a case of doing the same things: hitting good golf shots, then count them up at the end.”
His fine week or so in the UAE is the latest instalment in a bright young career. Bradbury won his first title, the Joburg Open, on just his third start, and while playing on a sponsors’ invite.
“I always had the belief I could get here, it has just happened a lot quicker than I expected,” he said.
“Everything just seems to be going right for me at the moment. I am just trying to ride the wave and keep it going for as long as we can.
“I would say I still go into it with the same mentality. It is not a cockiness, thinking I am going to win, but a belief that you know you can.
“I don’t feel like anything has really changed, I am just playing the best golf I can. I know that when it is good, it’s good.”
