The USA’s Ryder Cup captain, Keegan Bradley, achieved a surprise victory at the BMW Championship: In the last round, an even-par of 72 was enough for him to secure victory by one stroke in Castle Pines on Sunday.
Bradley only qualified for the last spot in the top 50 of the FedEx Cup standings with his final round at the St. Jude Championship last week.
But the 38-year-old leader from the previous night used all his experience, played a solid round on the course in Colorado and finished the tournament at 12 under par.
Bradley started this week ranked 50th out of 50, has now climbed the FedEx Cup rankings and enters next week’s final event, the Tour Championship in Atlanta, in fourth place.
Sweden’s Ludwig Aberg, Australia’s Adam Scott and American Sam Burns had all threatened to take the lead on the back nine holes, but Bradley, who made two birdies and two bogeys – including on the final hole when victory was already in the bag – held firm.
It was Bradley’s seventh win on the PGA Tour and he was greeted with chants of “USA, USA” around the 18th green by a player closely associated with the country’s Ryder Cup team.
Bradley and Scott had been battling for the lead for most of the weekend and the outcome was still open on the final green.
Bradley was two shots ahead and Scott had a chance for a birdie, while the American managed a long and difficult putt from outside the green.
A birdie for the Australian and a bogey for Bradley would have sent their duel into a playoff, but after Scott missed his 18-foot attempt, Bradley could afford his bogey.
“I was shaking on that last putt. I was ready for that celebration. We did it. It was a battle all day,” he said.
Bradley described his performance last Sunday, where he sneaked into the top 50, as one of the most nerve-wracking experiences he’s had on tour, and he smiled as he reflected on how his week had gone.
“It just shows why you have to work hard every week because you never know how quickly things can change. Now I’m going to Atlanta with the chance to win the FedExCup,” he said.
“I can’t believe it. I’m so excited. It was my dad’s first time seeing me win, so we’re super excited.”
Bradley was watched by his father Mark, who taught him the game when he was a professional at his club.
Scott, who made his PGA Tour debut at the course at the age of 20, took the lead with an eagle on the par-5 first hole.
But ultimately he had to pay the price for a series of four bogeys on the back nine, including three in a row from the 10th to the 12th holes.
“(They) kind of messed it up for me there. I was in position with wedges on every hole and made three bogeys. That’s really almost unthinkable,” Scott said.
“I definitely struggled on the greens this weekend. I just didn’t have the confidence on some of those putts,” he added.
“It’s amazing that it came down to one shot, but I felt like my bogeys on holes 10, 11 and 12 gave Keegan some breathing room. He wasn’t really under any pressure and didn’t make any mistakes.”
Burns watched the late drama from the clubhouse after being shortlisted with his outstanding score of 65 (seven under par).
World number one Scottie Scheffler remains atop the FedEx Cup standings despite finishing in 33rd place after an even-par finish to a disappointing week for the Masters champion.
“I haven’t had many off weeks this year and this was definitely one of them, so it feels good to at least put in a decent round today,” he said before looking ahead to next week’s playoff finals at East Lake, where the field will be whittled down to the top 30 in the rankings.
“I just have to go out there, do my thing and compete,” Scheffler said.
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