DP World Tour pro hits back at 'cheating' claims: '100% fine, say what you want...'

Dan Bradbury has hit back at Golf Twitter™ 'cheating' claims following his Open de France victory by declaring on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast he is not anchoring his broomstick putter. 

Bradbury, 25, closed with a brilliant round of 66 to see out a narrow one-shot victory at famed Le Golf National.

It marked the second title of the Englishman's DP World Tour career and vaulted him 73 spots up the Race to Dubai Rankings to 25th, ensuring his place in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship next month. 

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Bradbury drained three clutch birdie putts in a row from the 14th, two of which came from 15 feet on 15 and 16 to send him into the lead. 

He then tucked away a six-footer for par on the tough 18th for the win. 

Moments after etching his name on the historic French trophy, GolfWRX writer Matt Vincenzi questioned whether Bradbury was 'anchoring' as he drained his par putt on 18. 

Others chimed in on social media saying he had 'cheated'. 

The anchored putting ban is a rule in our sport that prohibits all players from anchoring their club when making a stroke.

It was first announced in May 2013 and then brought into effect from 1 January 2016.

Tagging the DP World Tour, Vincenzi wrote: "If this isn't anchoring, I don't know what is. Is it a rule, or is it not a rule?"

Josh Antmann put the subject to Bradbury on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast. 

Scroll down for Bradbury's response... 

Dan Bradbury defends 'anchoring' allegations on the green

"There were a few things on social media saying that you anchor your putter, which is banned everyone," said Antmann. 

"Now, I know the answer to this Dan, but do you want to explain this because I know you're not anchoring... do you want to put everything to bed here, Dan?'"

"Absolutely, that's fine yeah," replied Bradbury, who made the switch to the broom putter earlier this month. 

"So you're not allowed, basically, the way I grip it, my thumb is on the top of the grip and you're not allowed that to be touching your chest or any part of your body, that would be classed as anchoring. 

"I have, 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.

"Put it this way, I can go like that, I can sweep down my body and not touch my hand, so there's at least this much there. I know that, the rules officials know it, everyone I've sort of played with, everyone knows it. If you're there in person you can see it, but some people want to sit at home and comment on it, that's fine but it's within the rules. 

"I get the stigma against it, 100% fine, say what you want to say, I had that stigma until I tried it and realised how much it's helped me. 

"But yeah, it's within the rules, so if you have an issue then change the rule. It's not my fault." 

He then added while stifling a laugh: "Actually, please don't change the rules."

Antmann concluded: "Everyone on social media can shut up about that now."

LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST EPISODE

But despite Bradbury claiming he is not anchoring his broom putter, fellow DP World Tour Eddie Pepperell is not quite so convinced. 

Pepperell said: "I know Dan, he's a lovely lad and I think he's a very honest lad and I would believe him if he was to say he wasn't anchoring at any point on Sunday.

"Unfortunately, however, to the naked eye it looks as though he kinda might've been."

He added: "That's not entirely his fault, it's the rules' fault. 

"So I would love to see them just make the putter the shortest club in the bag."