Jessica makes her mark with debut win

Tiverton Golf Club assistant professional Jessica Bradley won the opening round of the  WPGA One Day Series at Little Aston Golf Club  in her first appearance in the competition.

Bradley won a three under par round of 71 at the Sutton Coldfield venue to beat Kym Larratt, of Leicestershire’s Kibworth Golf Club, and Katie Rule, from Mullion Golf Club in Cornwall, by just one shot.

Second year assistant Bradley also has Ladies’ European Tour status and she finished ahead of some of the women’s game’s more established names.

“It was a privilege to play in a field like that and I’m delighted to have won, it was really exciting,” said Bradley who will not play in the next round but hopes to compete in the remaining events this year.

“This was the first time I’d played in the event and I wasn’t expecting to win.”

Only four players managed to go under par in difficult conditions.

“I was pleased about that, especially as it was windy and cold too. But the greens were really nice, faster than anything I’ve played on this year.

“But the draw was pretty fair to all the players I think.”

Bradley studied at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, before returning to the UK to take the PGA assistants’ course.

But the Devon-based player made a shaky start with a bogey at the first before following up with two birdies.

The back nine saw her produce two birdies and an eagle but her score could have been even more convincing but for two bogeys which came at the 17th and 18th holes.

Bradley now hopes to challenge for the One Day Series title.

“I went in trying to do the best I could so I hope to build on this,” she added.