One week after enduring the “most annoying” Sunday of his life, subsequent yr’s Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley went from worst to first, profitable the BMW Championship in Colorado in dramatic style.
He made it to Fort Pines because the final man within the area—fiftieth within the FedEx Cup rankings—because of Tom Kim’s heartbreaking collapse final week in Memphis. However now, Bradley will depart the Rocky Mountains because the winner. He’ll return to the Tour Championship at East Lake because the fourth-ranked participant within the standings and has an actual likelihood of capturing the FedEx Cup.
“It simply exhibits why you’ve received to grind it out each week since you by no means know the way quick it could change,” Bradley stated.
“Now I am going to Atlanta with an opportunity to win the FedExCup. I can’t consider it. I’m so excited. My dad the primary time he’s seen me win, so we’re pumped.”
Bradley started the day at 12-under, holding a one-shot benefit over Adam Scott. He then carded an even-par 72, ending with the identical rating and profitable by the identical margin with which he started the day. Scott, Ludvig Åberg, and Sam Burns all completed at 11-under, as all three gamers additionally certified for Atlanta subsequent week.
The spotlight of the day got here on the par-5 seventeenth, the place, after discovering the green, Bradley determined to get aggressive along with his strategy shot. Holding a two-shot benefit over his taking part in accomplice Scott, the 2011 PGA Champion felt obligated to finish the Aussie’s hopes proper then and there. Bradley caught a lovely strategy from 229 yards out to 16 toes after which two-putted for birdie to get to 13-under.
“Nicely, I had 222 adjusted gap, which is altitude and every thing, so I hit a 5-iron,” Bradley stated.
“I used to be slightly jacked up. Probably the greatest pictures of my life.”
Scott, in the meantime, additionally made birdie, however the Aussie wanted an eagle to threaten victory.
Bradley walked over to the ultimate gap with a two-shot cushion, a much-needed circumstance provided that the 18th performed because the second most difficult gap of the day. Scott then discovered the green bunker however hit an exquisite strategy to about 15 toes previous the pin, thus giving himself a glimmer of hope. However the Aussie missed his birdie try, whereas Bradley two-putted for bogey to win the title by one.
For Scott, it’s one other shut name, as he additionally completed runner-up on the Genesis Scottish Open final month.
“I’m dissatisfied to not have received at this time, however I’m fairly pleased to be going to East Lake as a result of that wasn’t on the playing cards a pair weeks in the past,” Scott stated.
“I’ve performed effectively.”
As for Bradley, it’s a return to glory—his first victory since his hometown victory on the Vacationers Championship a yr in the past. He now has a good likelihood of taking part in his approach onto subsequent yr’s Ryder Cup workforce at Bethpage Black, the course he used to sneak onto throughout his taking part in days at St. John’s. He’ll undoubtedly really feel motivated to take action, particularly contemplating that followers serenaded him with “USA! USA! USA!” chants whereas strolling up the 18th.
“I used to be prepared for these cheers,” Bradley stated. “We did it. It was a battle all day.”
Bradley preventing his approach onto his personal Ryder Cup workforce can be some story—approach higher than going from worst to first, simply as he did this week. However earlier than he does that, he has to shift his focus to Atlanta, the place an opportunity of profitable the FedEx Cup awaits.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. Remember to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
