LANCASHIRE lad Bradley Hardman played through the pain barrier to become the new European Junior Golf Open champion.

The 16-year-old rising star clinched the title at Royal Lytham and St Annes Old Links, winning his age group and carding the best overall score of the day.

But Bradley nearly missed his big day after injuring his wrist 24 hours before producing the round of his life.

“I had an injury scare the day before the Open, but luckily I was passed fit to play,” said Bradley, who has also represented his county.

“It was such a special thing to win at Royal Lytham, and at such a famous course.

“This win will help my confidence and hopefully I can build on this success.

“I’ve got a couple of competitions before the end of the season, so it would be nice to try and do well in those too.”

The Links Course, recognised as one of the most demanding in the world, also hosts the senior British Open Open, won by Seve Ballesteros, David Duval and Ernie Els in the past.

The Myerscough College College student competed against a hundred of the top junior golfers in Britain to lift the championship.

His mum, Michelle Howarth said: “We are extremely proud of him for winning the championship. He has just followed in his dad's footsteps really and he is certainly improving.

“After seeing his father do it for so long, I know exactly how much work you have to put into the sport and Bradley has really been putting in the work.”

Bradley is studying for a BTEC Extended Diploma in Golf Studies at the Lancashire college, and his mother added: “It was very much in the balance whether he played because of the injury, and he was unsure whether he would be able to make it.

“However, he decided to go for it - so it was lucky he did.”