Keegan Bradley Explained

Keegan Bradley
Fullname:Keegan Hansen Bradley[1]
Birth Date:7 June 1986
Birth Place:Woodstock, Vermont, U.S.
Weight:190lb
Residence:Jupiter, Florida, U.S.
Spouse:Jillian Stacey
College:St. John's University
Yearpro:2008
Tour:PGA Tour
Extour:Nationwide Tour
NGA Hooters Tour
Prowins:12
Pgawins:6
Eurowins:2
Otherwins:6
Majorwins:1
Masters:T22: 2015, 2024
Usopen:T4: 2014
Open:T15: 2013
Pga:Won: 2011
Award1:PGA Tour
Rookie of the Year
Year1:2011

Keegan Hansen Bradley[1] (born June 7, 1986) is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. He has won six tour events, most notably the 2011 PGA Championship. He is one of six golfers to win in his major debut, along with Ben Curtis, Fred Herd, Willie Park, Sr., Francis Ouimet and Horace Rawlins. He was the 2011 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year and has briefly featured in the top ten of the Official World Golf Ranking. He was announced as the 2025 Team USA Ryder Cup captain on July 8, 2024.[2]

Early life and college career

Bradley is the eldest child of Mark Bradley, the head professional at the Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club just outside Jackson, Wyoming.[3] Growing up as an all-state ski racer in Woodstock, Vermont, Bradley decided as a teenager to pursue golf over skiing.[4] [5] He lived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 2001 and 2002 when his father was an assistant pro at Portsmouth Country Club.[6] He then moved to Hopkinton, Massachusetts prior to his senior year at Hopkinton High School, where he won the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division 2 individual state championship in 2004.[7] Hopkinton coach Dick Bliss later recalled that Bradley received the third-most attention of his players that season, and that "not many big-time college recruiters gave him much of a look."[8] Bradley attended St. John's University and won nine collegiate events before graduating in 2008.

Professional career

2008-2010: early years

Bradley turned professional in 2008 and began playing on the NGA Hooters Tour, where he won at Southern Dunes in his fifth and final start of the year.[9] Bradley won a second Hooters Tour event in 2009 at the Texas Honing Open.[10] He made 22 cuts in 26 events that season and earned $84,000. He also played two Nationwide Tour events that year, making the cut in both of them. He attempted to earn a 2010 PGA Tour card through qualifying school but ultimately fell short by two strokes. In 2010, Bradley played on the Nationwide Tour, where he recorded four consecutive top-five finishes late in the season to finish 14th on the money list and earn his PGA Tour card for 2011.

2011: PGA rookie season, first major win

Bradley made the cut in his first PGA Tour event, the 2011 Sony Open in Hawaii, and finished T-7 the following week at the Bob Hope Classic. He added a second top 10 finish at the Valero Texas Open in April.[11] Bradley won his first PGA Tour event at the 2011 HP Byron Nelson Championship. He defeated Ryan Palmer on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.[12] The victory gained him entry into the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, where he shared the 36-hole lead and led midway through the final round before finishing T-15.[13] [14]

PGA Championship

The week after the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Bradley played in his first major, the 2011 PGA Championship. A second-round 64 propelled him into a share of the lead at the halfway stage, and Bradley remained only one shot out of the lead after 54 holes.[15] In the final round, he triple-bogeyed the 15th hole to fall five shots behind Jason Dufner with three holes to play before recovering with back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 which, combined with three consecutive bogeys for Dufner, left Dufner and Bradley tied after 72 holes of regulation play.[16] Bradley won the three-hole playoff with a birdie and two pars, while Dufner went par-bogey-birdie to finish one stroke behind. Bradley became only the third player after Francis Ouimet (1913) and Ben Curtis (2003) to win a major in his first attempt, and was the first golfer to win a major with a long putter.[17] He also became the seventh consecutive first-time major winner and the first American major champion since Phil Mickelson won the 2010 Masters.[18] With the victory, Bradley moved from number 108 to number 29 in the Official World Golf Ranking.[19] [20] In December, he was named the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.[21]

2012

At the 2012 Northern Trust Open, Bradley and Phil Mickelson each made long birdie putts on the 72nd hole to force a three-man playoff with Bill Haas, who made a 45-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to win the tournament.[22] Bradley held a two-stroke lead during the final round of the 2012 WGC-Cadillac Championship but dropped four shots over the final four holes, including a double bogey on the 18th, to finish T-8.[23] He started the season with nine consecutive top-25 finishes, then had just one in his next ten outings.[24] In June, Bradley played in Europe for the first time at The Irish Open at Royal Portrush and missed the cut.[25]

WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

Bradley won his third PGA Tour event at the 2012 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational by a stroke over Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker. Entering the final round trailing Jim Furyk by four strokes, Bradley narrowed the deficit to one going to the final hole. Bradley converted a 15-foot par putt while Furyk made double bogey to lose by one stroke. Bradley became the 11th player to win a major championship and a World Golf Championship.[26] The win elevated Bradley to 15th in the world rankings.[27] He moved up to a career high of 12th the next week, when he finished T3 at the 2012 PGA Championship.[28] For the season, Bradley finished 10th on the PGA Tour's money list. Bradley qualified for the 2012 Ryder Cup, marking his first appearance in any cup competition.[29]

2013

Bradley had two second-place finishes in 2013. The first occurred in May at the HP Byron Nelson Championship where he shot a course-record 60 at the TPC Four Seasons in the first round. Bradley had a one-shot lead going into the final round but was overtaken by Sang-Moon Bae. In August, Bradley finished second again, this time by seven strokes, to Tiger Woods at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone. For the season Bradley had seven top-tens and finished 11th on the PGA Tour's money list. Following the season, Bradley was a member of the winning United States team at the Presidents Cup played at Muirfield Village in Ohio.

2014

Bradley's highest finish in 2014 was a second place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Adam Scott faltered during Sunday's final round but it was Matt Every rather than Bradley who won a come-from-behind victory. For the season Bradley had six top-tens and finished 28th on the PGA Tour's money list. Following the season, Bradley was a captain's pick for the Ryder Cup played in Scotland.

2015

In 2015, Bradley had his worst season since joining the PGA Tour. Playing 24 events Bradley only had three top-tens and finished 64th on the PGA Tour's money list. For the first time in four years Bradley did not represent the United States in a year-end international competition.

2016–2017

These were two down years for Bradley. He didn't win a tournament and finished 114 and 51 on the PGA Tour money list.

2017–2018

In 2018, Bradley won the BMW Championship. This event was part of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. He qualified for the season-ending Tour Championship and finished 8th in the season-long FedEx Cup.

2018–2019

In June 2019, Bradley shot −13 for the week at the Travelers Championship and finished tied for second with Zack Sucher. The winner that week was Chez Reavie.[30]

2022

In October 2022, Bradley won the Zozo Championship for his fifth PGA Tour victory and his first since the 2018 BMW Championship.[31]

2023

In June, Bradley won the Travelers Championship for his sixth PGA Tour victory. Bradley broke the tournament's scoring record with a score of 23-under 257.[32]

Personal life

Bradley's aunt is former LPGA player and World Golf Hall of Fame member Pat Bradley.[33] As a child he attended some of her tournaments and he has called her an inspiration.[34] His other aunt, Peggy, is a 7-time Women's Club Champion at York Golf and Tennis Club in York, Maine. He is a fan of Boston Red Sox baseball, Boston Celtics basketball, New England Patriots football and Boston Bruins hockey, and has said his dream golf foursome includes his father, Ben Hogan, and Tom Brady.[35] [36] Bradley considers frequent practice-round partner Phil Mickelson a mentor, and he credits Mickelson for helping him win the 2011 PGA Championship. Bradley is also close friends with Jason Dufner, and was one of the first to personally congratulate him after his victory in the 2013 PGA Championship.[37] [38] [39] [40]

Amateur wins

Professional wins (12)

PGA Tour wins (6)

Legend
Major championships (1)
World Golf Championships (1)
FedEx Cup playoff events (1)
Other PGA Tour (3)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1HP Byron Nelson Championship−3 (66-71-72-68=277)Playoff Ryan Palmer
2Aug 14, 2011PGA Championship−8 (71-64-69-68=272)Playoff Jason Dufner
3Aug 5, 2012WGC-Bridgestone Invitational−13 (67-69-67-64=267)1 stroke Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker
4Sep 10, 2018BMW Championship−20 (66-64-66-64=260)Playoff Justin Rose
5Oct 16, 2022Zozo Championship1−15 (66-65-66-68=265)1 stroke Rickie Fowler, Andrew Putnam
6Jun 25, 2023Travelers Championship−23 (62-63-64-68=257)3 strokes Zac Blair, Brian Harman
1Co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour, but unofficial money event.

PGA Tour playoff record (3–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
12011HP Byron Nelson Championship Ryan PalmerWon with par on first extra hole
22011PGA Championship Jason DufnerWon three-hole aggregate playoff;
Bradley: −1 (3-3-4=10),
Dufner: E (4-4-3=11)
32012Northern Trust Open Bill Haas, Phil MickelsonHaas won with birdie on second extra hole
42018BMW Championship Justin RoseWon with par on first extra hole
52024Sony Open in Hawaii An Byeong-hun, Grayson MurrayMurray won with birdie on first extra hole

NGA Hooters Tour wins (2)

Other wins (4)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Oct 19, 2011PGA Grand Slam of Golf−4 (67-71=138)1 stroke Charl Schwartzel
2Dec 11, 2011Franklin Templeton Shootout
(with Brendan Steele)
−32 (63-62-59=184)3 strokes Mark Calcavecchia and Nick Price,
Rory Sabbatini and Jhonattan Vegas
3Jul 1, 2015CVS Health Charity Classic
(with Jon Curran)
−21 (61-60=121)2 strokes Harris English and Lexi Thompson
4Jun 29, 2016CVS Health Charity Classic (2)
(with Jon Curran)
−18 (63-61=124)Playoff Billy Andrade and Bill Haas

Other playoff record (1–0)

Major championships

Wins (1)

1Defeated Jason Dufner in a three-hole playoff: Bradley (3-3-4=10), Dufner (4-4-3=11).

Results timeline

Results not in chronological order in 2020.

Tournament 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Masters TournamentT27T54CUTT22T52
U.S. OpenT68CUTT4T27CUTT60CUT
The Open ChampionshipT34T15T19CUTT1879
PGA Championship1T3T19CUTT61T42T33T42
Tournament201920202021202220232024
Masters TournamentT43T23T22
PGA ChampionshipT29CUTT17T48T29T18
U.S. OpenCUTCUTT7CUTT32
The Open ChampionshipCUTNTCUTCUTCUTCUT
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied
NT = no tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

Summary

Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
0 0 0 0 0 3 8 7
PGA Championship 1 0 1 2 2 5 14 12
0 0 0 1 2 2 12 6
0 0 0 0 0 3 11 5
Totals 1 0 1 3 4 13 45 30

Results in The Players Championship

CUT = missed the halfway cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
C = Canceled after the first round due to the COVID-19 pandemic

World Golf Championships

Results timeline

Results not in chronological order before 2015.

Tournament 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020202120222023
ChampionshipT87T50T38T10
Match PlayR32R64R64T52T36T40NT1T35T28
InvitationalT151T2T4T17T61T52
ChampionsT1623T11T646T24NT1NT1NT1
1Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
NT = No tournament
"T" = Tied
Note that the Championship and Invitational were discontinued from 2022. The Champions was discontinued from 2023.

PGA Tour career summary

Season Wins (Majors) Earnings (US$) Rank[41]
2011 2 (1) 3,758,600 13
2012 1 3,910,658 10
2013 0 3,636,813 11
2014 0 2,828,638 28
2015 0 1,565,079 64
2016 0 899,985 114
2017 0 1,940,478 51
2018 1 4,069,464 17
2019 0 1,902,797 58
2020 0 824,471 106
2021 0 2,572,089 39
2022 0 3,623,137 27
Career* 4 (1) 31,532,208 38[42]

* As of the 2022 season.

U.S. national team appearances

Professional

2012, 2014

2013 (winners)

2017 (winners), 2018 (winners), 2019 (winners)

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2010 Nationwide Tour Media Guide . PGA Tour . June 21, 2012 . 2–9 . PDF . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100929194413/http://mylanclassic.com/pdf/2010%20Nationwide%20Tour%20Media%20Guide.pdf . September 29, 2010 .
  2. News: Keegan Bradley named U.S. captain for 2025 Ryder Cup . ESPN . Associated Press . July 8, 2024.
  3. Web site: Golf staff . Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club . August 7, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120712121239/http://www.jhgtc.com/info/golf.staff.asp . July 12, 2012.
  4. News: August 14, 2011 . Svrluga . Barry . PGA Championship: Keegan Bradley Beats Jason Dufner in Three-Hole Playoff . . August 15, 2011.
  5. News: August 13, 2011 . Borges . Ron . Keegan Bradley: More Cowbell! . . August 15, 2011.
  6. News: August 15, 2012 . Pepin . Carl . York relatives proud of PGA champion Keegan Bradley . Seacoast Online . August 6, 2012.
  7. News: January 30, 2011 . Pave . Marvin . PGA rookie Bradley celebrates Hope finish . . April 17, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110725160001/http://articles.boston.com/2011-01-30/news/29340857_1_jhonattan-vegas-money-list-hooters-tour/2 . July 25, 2011 .
  8. August 2012 . Adler . Max . Profile: Keegan Bradley . . August 6, 2012.
  9. News: November 24, 2010 . Miles . David . Woodstock Native Keegan Bradley Heating Up Nationwide Tour . The Vermont Standard . April 17, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120325054403/http://www.thevermontstandard.com/2010/11/woodstock-native-keegan-bradley-heating-up-nationwide-tour/ . March 25, 2012 . dead .
  10. News: August 9, 2009 . Keegan Bradley wins Hooters Tour event . . . April 17, 2011.
  11. Web site: April 20, 2011 . Szeker . Anne . Sleeper Picks: The Heritage . PGA Tour . August 15, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110424111900/http://www.pgatour.com/2011/tournaments/r012/04/19/sleeper-picks/index.html . April 24, 2011.
  12. News: May 30, 2011 . Hawkins . Stephen . Keegan Bradley Wins Nelson in Playoff Over Palmer . . . August 15, 2011.
  13. News: August 5, 2011 . Dorman . Larry . Woods Sputters in Second Round, Can't Threaten Leaders . . August 15, 2011.
  14. News: August 10, 2011 . Elling . Steve . Lefty Teaches Economics to Boost Young Americans' Cred Rating . . August 15, 2011.
  15. News: August 14, 2011 . Gould . Herb . Brendan Steele, Jason Dufner Tied for Lead at PGA Championship . . August 15, 2011.
  16. News: August 14, 2011 . Pennington . Bill . Tour Rookie With Veteran's Resolve . . August 15, 2011.
  17. News: Newport . John Paul . Long Putters Shake Off the Stigma . August 20, 2011 . . August 22, 2011.
  18. News: Garside . Kevin . Keegan Bradley Wins His Maiden Major After Beating Jason Dufner in Play-Off . August 14, 2011 . . August 15, 2011.
  19. News: August 14, 2011 . Ferguson . Doug . Bradley Wins PGA in Playoff After Rousing Comeback . . August 15, 2011.
  20. News: August 14, 2011 . Wojciechowski . Gene . Keegan Bradley's PGA Win 'A Dream' . . August 15, 2011.
  21. News: Shain . Jeff . Luke Donald Named PGA Tour Player of the Year . . March 11, 2012 . March 11, 2012.
  22. News: Pucin . Diane . All's Quiet on Phil Front as Bill Haas Wins in Playoff at Riviera . . February 19, 2012 . March 11, 2012.
  23. News: Ferguson . Doug . Rose Rallies to Win World Golf Championship . . Associated Press . March 11, 2012 . March 11, 2012.
  24. News: July 24, 2012 . News and notes on the PGA Tour's top 20 . USA Today . August 6, 2012.
  25. News: Major winner Keegan Bradley bows out of Irish Open at Portrush after failing to make the cut . . June 29, 2012 . August 6, 2012.
  26. Ferguson . Doug . Bradley wins first WGC in a stunning finish . . Associated Press --> . August 5, 2012 . August 6, 2012.
  27. News: Bradley up to 15th in world rankings . . August 6, 2012 . August 13, 2012.
  28. News: McIlroy back to No. 1 in world rankings . . August 13, 2012 . August 13, 2012.
  29. News: Love adds Scott Verplank, Jeff Sluman as Ryder Cup assistants, now waits on 4 picks . https://web.archive.org/web/20120817163224/http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/love-adds-scott-verplank-jeff-sluman-as-ryder-cup-assistants-now-waits-on-4-picks/2012/08/13/e9c541a6-e554-11e1-9739-eef99c5fb285_story.html . dead . August 17, 2012 . . August 13, 2012 . . August 13, 2012.
  30. Web site: 2019 Travelers Championship Final Results, Prize Money Payout and Leaderboard. Golf News Net . June 23, 2019 . June 24, 2019 .
  31. Web site: Wade . Stephen . Keegan Bradley wins Zozo for first PGA Tour win in 4 years . Associated Press . October 16, 2022 . October 16, 2022.
  32. Web site: Eaton-Robb . Pat . Keegan Bradley wins Travelers Championship, breaks tournament record by 1 shot . Associated Press . 26 June 2023 . 25 July 2023.
  33. News: February 11, 2011 . Dorman . Larry . Game, Like the Name, May Soon Ring a Bell . . April 17, 2011.
  34. News: Champ upholds family tradition . The Standard (Hong Kong) . August 16, 2011 . August 16, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121019042552/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=19&art_id=114172&sid=33398289&con_type=3 . October 19, 2012 .
  35. News: Yantz . Tom . Bradley Hungry For More After PGA Championship Win . . June 17, 2012 . August 6, 2012.
  36. News: Dorman . Larry . The Bradley Celebration Tour Goes Home . The New York Times . September 2, 2011 . August 6, 2012.
  37. News: Schultz . Jeff . Keegan Bradley Goes from Slopes to PGA Championship . . August 14, 2011 . March 11, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120506181504/http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2011/08/14/keegan-bradley-goes-from-slopes-to-pga-championship/ . May 6, 2012.
  38. Web site: Ross . Helen . Words to Win By . . August 14, 2011 . March 11, 2012.
  39. Sirak . Ron . Mickelson Makes Switch to Long Putter Official . Golf Digest . September 2, 2011 . March 11, 2012.
  40. News: Van Smith . Bill . Keegan Bradley Wants to Be Like His mentor Phil . . March 11, 2012 . March 11, 2012.
  41. Web site: Official Money . PGA Tour . October 2, 2020.
  42. Web site: Career Money Leaders . PGA Tour . October 16, 2022.