"If you have an issue, change the rule"- Dan Bradbury shuts down critics after Open de France putter controversy

Dan Bradbury's controversial putting style drew the ire of some golf fans over the weekend after his two putts cemented a one-stroke victory at the Open de France. His putter appeared to be touching part of his body, which would be considered anchoring. That is illegal and would have resulted in a penalty that almost assuredly would have cost him the victory.

Bradbury said after the tournament with the controversy rising that he puts his thumb at the top of his grip, acknowledging that he can't touch his chest or any other part of his body with the putter.

He said (via Golf Monthly):

"Obviously, as a bigger lad, I have a lot of space up there, I wear baggy shirts. It’s allowed to touch your shirt. That’s absolutely fine. I have mine... put it this way, I can sweep down my body and not touch my hand, so there’s at least this much there (1-2 inch gap). I know that, the rules officials know it. Everybody that I’ve played with, everyone knows it. If you’re there in person you can see it."

Bradbury mentioned those who "sit at home and comment" by saying that everything he does is completely within the rules. He understands there's a stigma against his unique putting style, one he once held. He said:

"Say what you want to say. I had that stigma until I tried it and realized how much it's helped me. It’s within the rules, so if you have an issue, change the rule, no? It’s not my fault."

Bradbury's strange putting style helped him defeat a host of T2 players by one stroke last weekend, including Thorbjorn Olesen, Yannik Paul, Scott Bairstow, and Jeff Winther.

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Dan Bradbury opens up on clutch victory in DP World Tour

Dan Bradbury is clinging to his DP World Tour card. He has a membership, but he's far from assured of keeping it. His victory this weekend, which may come under a lot of scrutiny because of his anchoring controversy, helped him get much closer to keeping it.

Dan Bradbury won the Open de France (Getty)

After the win, he admitted that he was looking to make the cut for the points it would afford him. Bradbury was quoted as saying (via the BBC):

"The goal this week was to make the cut so I don't have to go to Korea and try to keep my card, to be honest with you, so to hear that sounds pretty good. I guess I'll be looking at flights to Dubai then."

Dan Bradbury did make the cut and then won the tournament, pushing him all the way up to 25th in the Race to Dubai rankings. It also ensured his qualification for playoff events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to close out the DP World Tour season.