Shacklady aiming to topple merit leader in season finale

Sep 25 2007 by David Birtill, Liverpool Daily Post

MARK BRADLEY has struck form just at the right time as he prepares to defend the Automatic Retailing PGA North Region Championship at Northumberland club Burgham Park this week (September 27-29).

The 33-year-old Chorley professional, who won the title in dramatic style when he beat Paul Eales by two shots after an eagle-birdie-birdie finish, shredded the course record with nine-under-par during a Northern Golf Players’ Tour at Blackpool’s Heron’s Reach.

He said: “Everything clicked in but my overall game is better than it was last season, especially my putting.”

But he also revealed he could be out of action for most of next year depending on the outcome of surgery on a cartilage and a probe into a cruciate ligament problem in his right knee.

He explained: “I had an operation at the end of last season but the problem was not resolved. I’m going into hospital next month for another one and if it’s successful I could be fit again after three weeks.

“Otherwise, I will have to have a further operation which takes up to 12 months to recover from.”

Bradley believes the biggest threat at Burgham Park, where the championship is being staged for a second time, will come from David Smith.

The Swinton Park assistant claimed the first of the four regional order of merit events when he won the MEN Manchester Open at Mottram Hall, then was runner-up in The Rock at Matfen Hall the following week.

He also made the cut in the Leeds Cup last month to lead the merit, although any one of five other players can deny him the title.

Among them is Mossock Hall maestro David Shacklady, a mere 23 points behind, with Houghwood’s Barry Taylor 140 off the pace.

And all three are paired together for the opening two rounds of the 54-hole tournament, which has a Saturday finish. A total of 270 points are at stake which also brings into the equation Leeds Cup winner John Wells; Selby’s Nick Ludwell and Warrington’s Graham Cox who won the PGA North Region Assistants’ Championship at Dore and Totley.