Keegan Bradley, the captain of the Ryder Cup team, staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a three-shot deficit with four holes remaining to claim victory at the Travelers Championship. He finished with a commendable 2-under 68, clinching the win with a birdie on the 18th hole amidst an ecstatic home crowd. This victory bolstered Bradley’s position in the Ryder Cup standings, moving him up to ninth and further solidifying his potential inclusion for the upcoming matches at Bethpage Black against Europe.
In a dramatic finish, Bradley narrowly defeated Tommy Fleetwood, who had previously secured a pivotal point for Europe at the Marco Simone two years ago. Fleetwood seemed on the brink of his first PGA Tour win but faltered on the final hole, recording a bogey that denied him the title. This misstep cost him nearly $2 million in prize money, though he still walked away with $3.34 million for his second-place finish.
As he approached the 18th, Bradley trailed Fleetwood by one shot. He executed a precise approach, landing his shot just under six feet from the hole, while Fleetwood’s lengthy putt fell well short, leading to a three-putt that sealed his fate with a final score of 72. Commentators expressed disbelief at Fleetwood’s missed chip and putts, labelling the outcome “shocking.”
Despite the disappointment, Fleetwood displayed commendable sportsmanship in his post-match interview, expressing his frustration but also acknowledging his solid performance throughout the tournament. He said, “I obviously played great… I’m gutting this, but I need to focus on the positives.”
In contrast, Bradley celebrated his triumph with enthusiasm, particularly lauding his final birdie putt as a memory he would cherish. Adding to his recent successes, this marks Bradley’s second win in high-calibre fields within the past ten months, with only Scottie Scheffler having more victories among players ahead of him in the Ryder Cup standings.
Throughout the competition, Bradley remained focused and composed, especially in sweltering heat with temperatures soaring near 40 degrees Celsius. The atmosphere was electric as he made crucial birdies, including a stunning 65-foot putt on the ninth hole. Despite a challenging stretch where he fell behind Fleetwood, a pivotal birdie on the 15th hole sparked his comeback.
Bradley’s final score of 15-under 265 earned him $5.56 million, marking his first victory at a signature PGA event. This win coincided with the anniversary of his selection as Ryder Cup captain, making it particularly significant. With other players like Harris English and Jason Day also performing well, Bradley’s spot on the Ryder Cup team seems assured, though his exact role remains to be determined as preparations continue for the upcoming event.