Keegan Bradley, the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, proves he is still a competitive force on the golf course, winning the BMW Championship with a narrow one-shot victory in Denver. The 38-year-old golfer secured what could be his biggest win in six years, marking his seventh career victory on the PGA Tour.
Bradley had a challenging week prior to the tournament, barely qualifying for the BMW Championship after needing a call from Billy Horschel to confirm his participation. His performance in Memphis had hindered his standing in the FedEx Cup, but he made the cut for the playoff event. Having not finished in the top 20 since May, Bradley seemed far from contending for a spot in the Tour Championship just a week earlier.
However, he turned his postseason around with a flawless, emotional 66 in the opening round, quickly gaining favor with the crowds. As the competition progressed, Bradley found himself leading going into the final round, ahead of Adam Scott and rising star Ludvig Åberg.
Though he faced challenges throughout the day, including 13 consecutive pars, Bradley managed to maintain control of the lead, despite Scott struggling on the back nine. A critical moment came when Bradley recovered from a bogey on the 15th hole with a strong iron shot on the 17th, setting him up for a birdie that extended his lead.
Despite finishing tied for second with Åberg and Scott, Bradley’s victory emphasizes his persistence in pursuing a spot on Team USA for the Ryder Cup. As captain, he has expressed the desire to play on the team, acknowledging that he needs to qualify through points rather than relying on a captain’s pick.
With the Tour Championship approaching, Bradley enters at fourth place in the standings, starting the event with a 6-under par score. The format assigns starting strokes based on standings, adding an intriguing dynamic to the final tournament of the FedEx Cup season.