Keegan Bradley: From Last to BMW Championship Winner and East Lake Bound

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — Keegan Bradley defied expectations at the BMW Championship, finishing with an even-par 72 and securing a narrow one-shot victory on Sunday. This win transformed his journey from nearly being eliminated to claiming his seventh title on the PGA Tour.

Early in the final round, Bradley pulled ahead of a struggling Adam Scott. A critical shot on the par-5 17th almost guaranteed his win, marking one of the most surprising victories of his career.

Just a week prior, Bradley was in a tight spot, anxiously holding onto the 50th position in the FedEx Cup standings, which barely allowed him to qualify for this postseason event. He managed to navigate the challenges posed by the high altitude, unpredictable wind, and the intense pressure of a Sunday tournament at Castle Pines.

“It just shows why you’ve got to grind it out because you never know how fast it can switch,” Bradley reflected on the 18th green, sharing the moment with his father. Mark Bradley, a former club professional, witnessed his son’s triumph for the first time in person.

This victory propelled Bradley from 50th to 4th in the FedEx Cup standings, earning him a spot in the Tour Championship. He will enter this next event four strokes behind leader Scottie Scheffler in the chase for the substantial $25 million prize.

Additionally, Bradley’s win holds significance for international competition. As the first Ryder Cup captain to win a PGA Tour event since Davis Love III nine years ago, he moved into the 10th position in the Presidents Cup standings. The top six players after this event automatically qualify, while captain Jim Furyk has the option to select six additional players. Given his winning streak, Bradley’s name will certainly come up in discussions for those captain’s picks.

Throughout the back nine, enthusiastic fans cheered “U-S-A! U-S-A!” as Bradley made his way to victory. The loudest cheers echoed from the crowd gathered around the 18th green, eager to witness the conclusion of an exciting week.

Adam Scott, who recently finished as a runner-up at the Scottish Open, started the back nine tied for the lead. However, his chances dwindled after consecutive bogeys on the first three holes of the back nine. Despite birdies on the final two par 5s, Scott missed crucial opportunities, including a significant error on the 15th tee where he overshot the green from just 101 yards out.

Scott finished the day with a 72, successfully earning a place in the top 30 for the upcoming tournament at East Lake.

Sam Burns recorded the best score on Sunday with a 65, which included a bogey on the par-5 14th, leaving him tied for second alongside Scott and Ludvig Aberg of Sweden. Aberg, who initially appeared poised for success, fell short due to critical mistakes.

In the final round, Aberg had excelled on the par 5s, but ended up playing them at even par, concluding his day with a round of 71.

Justin Thomas, in a surprising turn of events, managed to secure a spot in the Tour Championship despite being back home in Florida just like Bradley a week earlier. Thomas required various outcomes to favor him to claim the 30th and final position, and luck ultimately smiled upon him through the performances of Brian Harman and Alex Noren.

Harman needed a simple par on the last hole to qualify but finished with a double bogey, while Noren, who made impressive plays earlier, faltered at the end, closing with three consecutive bogeys, the last of which came on the easy par-5 17th hole.

Bradley, who ended the tournament at 12-under 276, solidified his lead on the 17th. Although he missed an eagle putt, he still managed to walk to the 18th with a comfortable two-shot cushion.

In celebration of his victory, he raised his arm high, soaking in the crowd’s chants and cheers, solidifying his status as a beloved player on the tour.

Bradley earned $4 million for his victory at the BMW Championship, adding this title to his earlier win at Aronimink in 2018, where he also ranked as the 52nd seed in a prior event.

Both Bradley and Scott were joined by Tommy Fleetwood and Chris Kirk, who each posted scores of 69, successfully making their way into the top 30 for the Tour Championship while eliminating Harman, Jason Day, Davis Thompson, and Denny McCarthy from contention.

Source: AP News