One week after enduring the “most worrying” 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 vogue.
He made it to Fortress Pines because the final man within the discipline—fiftieth within the FedEx Cup rankings—because of Tom Kim’s heartbreaking collapse final week in Memphis. However now, Bradley leaves 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 actually change,” Bradley stated.
“Now I am going to Atlanta with an opportunity to win the FedExCup. I can’t imagine 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 golf green, Bradley determined to get aggressive along with his method shot. Holding a two-shot benefit over his taking part in companion Scott, the 2011 PGA Champion felt obligated to finish the Aussie’s hopes proper then and there. Bradley caught a stunning method from 229 yards out to 16 toes after which two-putted for birdie to get to 13-under.
“Properly, I had 222 adjusted gap, which is altitude and all the pieces, so I hit a 5-iron,” Bradley stated.
“I used to be slightly jacked up. Among the best photographs 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 golf green bunker however hit an exquisite method 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 disillusioned to not have gained right this moment, however I’m fairly joyful 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 properly.”
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 manner onto subsequent yr’s Ryder Cup staff 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 manner onto his personal Ryder Cup staff could be some story—manner 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. You should definitely take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.
