His first priority was to find somewhere to get his laundry done. A one-week trip to South Africa had suddenly become the start of a new career.

Playing on a sponsor’s invitation into the Joburg Open and with no status on any tour anywhere in the world, Bradbury took his chance from day one and never looked back as he closed out his maiden professional title with a final round of 67 to win by three strokes on 21 under par.

"I was meant to be on a flight out this evening, but happily that’s changed. I didn’t even pack enough clothes for more than one week. I’ve got the kids here asking for my cap, but I only packed one for each day," said a delighted Bradbury, who now moves on to this week’s Investec South African Open.

Finland’s Sami Välimäki took second place on 18 under par with a final round of 69, and South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Daniel van Tonder shared third place on 17 under par following respective rounds of 66 and 68.

Bradbury also secured himself a spot in his first Major as one of the three leading professionals who qualified from this event for next year’s 151st Open at Royal Liverpool. Välimäki took the second spot, with Bezuidenhout taking the third by virtue of his higher world ranking over Van Tonder.

"I can’t tell you how it feels because it hasn’t sunk in yet. It means the world to me," said Bradbury, who struggled to process just what this week has meant to him. "I wouldn’t have anywhere to play in the world without this. It’s been life-changing. I’m going to play everything. I love playing."

It was a composed performance all week from the Englishman, who overcame weather delays and some strong charges on his lead to eventually triumph. Even on the final day, he showed tremendous composure as he saved what could have been a swing in the lead when he chipped in for par on the par-four sixth hole.

"That was a big momentum changer. If I hadn’t made that, I might have been tied for the lead, or even behind. To come out of that hole still leading was a bonus."

It was also a bonus having his mother, Sandra, with him this week to watch his maiden victory.

"I’m bursting with pride," she said. "His dad is at home looking after his sister’s dogs. I asked my boss if I could have the week off work to come with him. It’s just phenomenal. All his family and friends have been supporting him. The golf club back home (Wakefield Golf Club) was full – nobody was playing golf today. They were all supporting Dan in the clubhouse. It’s lovely."

Final Scores:

263 - Dan Bradbury 63 66 67 67

266 - Sami Valimaki 66 65 66 69

267 - Christiaan Bezuidenhout 68 64 69 66, Daniel van Tonder 69 63 67 68

269 - Louis de Jager 67 65 70 67

271 - Dale Whitnell 68 68 70 65, Heinrich Bruiners 71 67 67 66, JJ Senekal 68 71 66 66

272 - Simon Forsstrom 67 69 71 65, Tom Murray 70 69 66 67, Romain Langasque 65 67 70 70, Casey Jarvis 67 63 71 71

273 - Nathan Kimsey 66 66 74 67, Francesco Laporta 67 69 68 69, Oliver Bekker 71 67 65 70

274 - Rhys Enoch 72 67 70 65, Marcel Siem 70 72 65 67

275 - Tom McKibbin 68 67 74 66, Jayden Schaper 71 67 72 65, Neil Schietekat 70 69 69 67, Ricardo Gouveia 71 69 67 68, Dylan Mostert 67 71 67 70, Shaun Norris 70 68 67 70

276 - Kyle Barker 70 67 72 67, Ross Mcgowan 67 72 70 67, Matthew Southgate 69 67 72 68, Jacques Kruyswijk 68 72 68 68, Wilco Nienaber 67 67 72 70, Jbe' Kruger 65 67 72 72

277 - Thomas Aiken 71 70 68 68, Alejandro Del Rey 72 70 68 67, Daniel Gavins 70 70 68 69

278 - Renato Paratore 68 68 73 69, Keith Horne 69 70 71 68, Hennie du Plessis 70 68 73 67, Thriston Lawrence 66 73 73 66, Nikhil Rama 73 68 71 66, Todd Clements 67 71 66 74

279 - Jeremy Freiburghaus 68 72 70 69, Kristian Krogh Johannessen 70 69 70 70, Aman Gupta 72 70 69 68, Nick Bachem 64 73 71 71, Wynand Dingle 68 70 76 65

280 - Louis Albertse 71 68 70 71, Craig Howie 70 67 69 74, Chase Hanna 70 70 74 66, Brandon Stone 71 71 73 65

281 - Clement Berardo 69 70 71 71, Julien Guerrier 69 71 69 72, Luke Jerling 70 72 69 70, Daniel Brown 70 71 71 69, Jean Hugo 72 70 70 69, Luca Filippi 73 69 71 68

282 - Elias Bertheussen 70 71 70 71, Keagan Thomas 71 70 71 70, Zander Lombard 69 72 72 69, Lorenzo Scalise 73 68 72 69, Robin Sciot-Siegrist 71 69 74 68

283 - Sean Bradley 69 68 74 72

284 - Anton Karlsson 69 69 71 75, MJ Viljoen 70 69 72 73, Darius van Driel 75 66 73 70, Hennie O'Kennedy 70 71 73 70

285 - Jens Dantorp 75 65 74 71, Toby Tree 72 70 72 71

286 - Jaco Ahlers 72 69 71 74, Estiaan Conradie 73 69 70 74, Deon Germishuys 71 70 73 72, Jeong Weon Ko 70 70 75 71, Adilson Da Silva 72 70 75 69

287 - Jake Redman 72 67 75 73

289 - Ruan Conradie 69 68 74 78, Pieter Moolman 72 69 74 74, Jacquin Hess 68 74 75 72

296 - Jordan Duminy 72 70 77 77