Keegan Bradley, the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, proved he still has the ability to compete at a high level, winning the BMW Championship by one stroke against Adam Scott and others in Denver. This victory marks Bradley’s seventh career win on the PGA Tour and his most significant achievement in six years.
Just a week prior, Bradley received a surprise call from Billy Horschel informing him he would participate in the BMW Championship, after narrowly qualifying for the event due to his performance in Memphis. He had struggled in recent tournaments and hadn’t finished in the top 20 since May. Despite doubts about his chances of reaching the Tour Championship, Bradley has now secured a spot and will start the event at 6 under par, placing him fourth in the standings.
His comeback began with an impressive bogey-free round of 66 on Thursday, energizing the local crowd and earning him significant support. He acknowledged the unusual position of being both a captain and a full-time player, expressing his commitment to playing his best golf to potentially earn a spot on Team USA.
Heading into the final round, Bradley held a one-shot lead over Scott and only a two-shot advantage over rising star Ludvig Åberg. After starting strong, he maintained a steady performance despite a series of pars. Scott struggled in the latter part of the round, bogeying several holes. Meanwhile, Sam Burns surged into contention with a strong finish, but Bradley managed to regain control with a key birdie on the 17th hole, ultimately securing his victory.
Bradley’s quest for a Ryder Cup spot has been an emotional journey, especially highlighted by the Netflix docuseries “Full Swing,” which captured his disappointment at missing the team despite winning twice in 2023. As he embraces his role as captain, he has remained focused on earning his spot through performance rather than relying on a captain’s pick.
With the final 30 players for the Tour Championship determined, participants will begin at different starting scores based on their standings, leading into the traditional 72-hole tournament format that concludes the PGA Tour season.