Keegan Bradley was the last man in the field this week in Colorado.
Clearly, that didn’t bother him one bit.
Bradley, after starting at No. 50 in the FedEx Cup standings, held on late on Sunday to grab a one-shot win at the BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club outside of Denver. That marked his first win of the season and moved him up an incredible 46 spots in the standings — which was enough to earn a spot in the 30-man field next week at the Tour Championship.
An epic win calls for an epic reaction 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sU8RAo6axq
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 25, 2024
Bradley finished with an even par 72 on Sunday, which kept him at 12-under on the week. Bradley is now the first active U.S. Ryder Cup captain to win on the PGA Tour since Davis Love III did so in 2015. The only other golfer in history to pull that off was Jack Nicklaus. Bradley, who is now at No. 4 in the FedEx Cup standings, will jump to No. 11 in the world rankings.
"I'm in a bit of a state of shock because there was a time a week ago about this time that I didn't think I was going to be coming here," he said. "I had to have a lot of magical things happen for me to just play in this tournament, and when I got here, I was so grateful just to be here. I played with a real sense of calm all week, which is not the norm for me."
Bradley started his final round with a one-shot lead over the field after an up-and-down Moving Day, where he carded eight birdies but only posted a 2-under 70. Just about everyone else in the field was on pace with him on Saturday, too. Only eight golfers broke 70 in the third round.
A Day of Patience and Precision
With his lead in place, Bradley then basically just hung on all day on Sunday. He opened the round with a birdie at the first, though playing partner Adam Scott drained a deep eagle putt to stick with him and grab a share of the lead. Scott held pace through the turn, though he finally slipped and made three straight bogeys to fall all but out of the running. As Scott stumbled, Bradley held strong. He rattled off an incredible 13 straight pars before he finally made a bogey at the 15th.
The 17th Hole: A Moment of Magic
While Ludvig Åberg applied pressure with a birdie at the 17th ahead of him, Bradley just barely left an eagle putt short at the par 5. That left him with a tap-in birdie and pushed his lead back to two.
Putting on the pressure 🔥Leader @Keegan_Bradley goes right at it on the par-5 17th @BMWChamps. pic.twitter.com/Ej0JxXHeP9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 25, 2024
Bradley, who walked up to the 18th green with huge "U-S-A" chants from the crowd, then three-putted for a bogey at the final hole to seal his even par 72 and the win.
The Race for the Tour Championship
Åberg, Scott and Sam Burns — who posted the round of the day with a 7-under 65 — finished tied for second at 11-under on the week. They were three shots clear of the group in fifth, which included Xander Schauffele and Cam Davis.
Bradley has now won seven times on the PGA Tour in his career. He has a pair of runner-up finishes this season, including when he lost in a playoff at the Sony Open in January, and he finished T18 at the PGA Championship — which marked his best finish at a major this season.
While he finished 1-over for the week on the back half of the leaderboard, Scottie Scheffler will still enter the Tour Championship at No. 1 in the standings. Scheffler, who has won six times this season, leads the field in the FedEx Cup standings by more than 1,000 points. He'll start at 10-under on the leaderboard. Xander Schauffele, who won both the PGA Championship and the British Open this year, is safely in second and will start at 8-under. Hideki Matsuyama, who withdrew this week due to a back injury, will be in third at East Lake if he’s able to play.
"When I showed up here this week, honestly I didn't think I'd be going to Atlanta," he said. "Scottie, my caddie, asked me if I wanted to know where I need to finish, and I said no. I still don't know. But I knew it had to be really high.
"Playing this week — last week I was looking at the leaderboard the whole time, and this week that was never on my mind. I was just trying to win the tournament. Maybe I can [win next week]. I'm playing great. I feel very lucky to be in Atlanta. To make the Tour Championship two years in a row is a big deal."
From Captain to Champion
The win not only secures Bradley's place in the Tour Championship, but it also further solidifies his position as the U.S. Ryder Cup captain. His performance in Colorado showcased his ability to handle pressure and rise to the occasion, all while fulfilling his captain duties. As he prepares for the Tour Championship, Bradley is also firmly in the conversation for a captain's pick for the Presidents Cup next month. This win will undoubtedly boost his chances, making him a formidable contender for the coveted spot.
Bradley’s victory is a testament to his resilience, skill, and unwavering determination. He proved that even as the last man in the field, anything is possible when you embrace the challenge with unwavering confidence. His journey from the brink of missing the BMW Championship to a dominant champion is a story that will surely inspire golfers and fans alike. It remains to be seen whether he can carry this momentum into the Tour Championship and etch his name in the FedEx Cup history books, but one thing is certain: Keegan Bradley is a force to be reckoned with.
The Bradley Story: A Tale of Triumph and Resilience
The BMW Championship win is not just another victory for Bradley; it is a culmination of years of hard work and overcoming adversity. From being left off the 2023 Ryder Cup team to the surprise captaincy announcement, he’s been through the wringer. This win, however, is a testament to his ability to overcome challenges and emerge stronger. His journey is an inspiring story of resilience and determination, proving that even in the face of setbacks, a relentless pursuit of excellence can lead to extraordinary results.
The world of golf is watching closely as Bradley navigates his dual roles as a player and captain. With the Tour Championship and the Presidents Cup looming, his focus will be tested, but he’s clearly up for the challenge. His victory at the BMW Championship is not just a testament to his talent; it's a powerful reminder that with unwavering belief in oneself and the right mindset, anything is possible.
