Keegan Bradley: From Underdog to Major Champion and Ryder Cup Captain – A Story of Resilience and New England Grit

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keegan bradley
keegan bradley

Keegan Bradley’s journey in professional golf reads like a script penned for the underdog. Born June 7, 1986, this American PGA Tour star has carved an impressive path defined by dramatic victories, unwavering perseverance, and a deep-rooted connection to his New England heritage. His story transcends mere statistics, culminating in the prestigious honor of being named the 2025 Team USA Ryder Cup captain in July 2024 – a testament to his standing within the game.

Roots Forged in Competition: Ski Slopes to Fairways

Bradley’s competitive fire was ignited early, not on the greens, but on the ski slopes of Woodstock, Vermont, where he excelled as an all-state ski racer. However, the call of golf, nurtured by his father, Mark Bradley (then head professional at Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club), proved stronger. His path wasn’t paved with blue-chip recruitment; after moving to Hopkinton, Massachusetts, he captured the 2004 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division 2 individual state championship at Hopkinton High School, yet flew relatively under the radar of major college programs. Coach Dick Bliss later noted Bradley received only the “third-most attention” on his own team that season.

Undeterred, Bradley forged his own success at St. John’s University, amassing an incredible nine collegiate wins before graduating in 2008.

Climbing the Ladder: Grit on the Grind

Turning professional in 2008, Bradley honed his craft on the demanding NGA Hooters Tour, securing victories at Southern Dunes (2008) and the Texas Honing Open (2009). Despite narrowly missing his PGA Tour card at qualifying school in 2009, his resolve held firm. On the Nationwide Tour in 2010, a remarkable streak of four consecutive top-five finishes propelled him to 14th on the money list, finally earning that coveted PGA Tour status for 2011.

A Rookie Season for the Ages: The Major Breakthrough

Bradley’s PGA Tour rookie season was nothing short of spectacular. After solid starts, including a T-7 at the Bob Hope Classic and a top 10 at the Valero Texas Open, he announced his arrival with a thrilling victory at the 2011 HP Byron Nelson Championship, defeating Ryan Palmer in a sudden-death playoff. This win earned him entry into the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, where he contended deep into the final round.

Then came the seismic moment: his first major, the 2011 PGA Championship. Displaying incredible nerve, Bradley fired a stunning second-round 64 to share the halfway lead. Facing near disaster with a triple-bogey on the 15th hole in the final round, falling five shots behind Jason Dufner, he staged a breathtaking comeback. Consecutive birdies on 16 and 17, coupled with Dufner’s stumble, forced a three-hole playoff. Bradley’s composure shone through; a birdie and two pars secured the Wanamaker Trophy, making him only the third player to win a major in his debut (joining Francis Ouimet and Ben Curtis) and the first to win a major with a long putter. This historic win skyrocketed him in the Official World Golf Ranking from 108th to 29th and rightfully earned him the 2011 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year title.

Establishing Elite Status: World Golf Championships and Consistency

Bradley cemented his place among the game’s elite by capturing the 2012 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in dramatic fashion, overtaking Jim Furyk on the final hole. This victory, alongside his T3 finish at the 2012 PGA Championship, propelled him to a career-high 12th in the world. He became the 11th player to win both a major and a World Golf Championship. His strong play earned him a spot on the 2012 Ryder Cup team and saw him finish 10th on the PGA Tour’s money list.

While major championship wins eluded him in subsequent years, Bradley remained a formidable contender. He recorded second-place finishes at the 2013 HP Byron Nelson Championship (where he shot a course-record 60 at TPC Four Seasons) and the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational (behind Tiger Woods), and again at the 2014 Arnold Palmer Invitational. He represented the USA again at the 2013 Presidents Cup and the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Overcoming Adversity and a Resurgent Champion

Like many athletes, Bradley faced challenges. The 2015 season was his toughest since joining the Tour, resulting in no international team play. The 2016-2017 seasons were similarly lean. Yet, true to his resilient character, he fought back.

His resurgence began emphatically with a victory at the 2018 BMW Championship, a pivotal FedEx Cup Playoffs event, securing his spot in the Tour Championship where he finished 8th in the FedEx Cup standings. He continued to knock on the door, finishing tied for second at the 2019 Travelers Championship.

The wins returned decisively. He captured the 2022 Zozo Championship (his fifth PGA Tour win) and then dominated the 2023 Travelers Championship, shattering the tournament’s scoring record with an astonishing 23-under 257. He added a second BMW Championship title in August 2024, becoming the first Ryder Cup captain to win a PGA Tour event since Davis Love III in 2015. Demonstrating remarkable consistency, he then won the 2025 Travelers Championship in June, rallying from three shots back with four holes to play, birdying the 18th to triumph over Tommy Fleetwood and Russell Henley.

The Man Behind the Clubs: Family, Fandom, and Inspiration

Bradley’s story is deeply personal. His aunt is Pat Bradley, an LPGA legend and World Golf Hall of Fame member, who served as a significant inspiration during his childhood. Another aunt, Peggy, is a champion golfer in her own right. A passionate New England sports fan, Bradley’s dream foursome includes his father, Ben Hogan, and Tom Brady. He credits Phil Mickelson as a key mentor, especially during his 2011 PGA Championship win, and shares a close friendship with Jason Dufner.

A Legacy Cemented: Captain Bradley

Keegan Bradley’s career is a compelling narrative of talent honed through hard work, resilience in the face of setbacks, and moments of pure, clutch brilliance. From his amateur wins like the Tillinghast and Wyoming State Amateur, through the grind of the Hooters Tour and Nationwide Tour, to the pinnacle of a major championship and World Golf Championship victories, his journey embodies determination. His appointment as 2025 Team USA Ryder Cup captain is not just an accolade; it’s a recognition of his experience, his fighting spirit, and the profound respect he commands – a fitting chapter for a player who consistently proves that heart and perseverance are just as crucial as a perfect swing.

Professional wins (13)

PGA Tour wins (8)

Legend
Major championships (1)
World Golf Championships (1)
FedEx Cup playoff events (2)
Signature events (2)
Other PGA Tour (2)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner(s)-up
1 May 29, 2011 HP Byron Nelson Championship −3 (66-71-72-68=277) Playoff United States Ryan Palmer
2 Aug 14, 2011 PGA Championship −8 (71-64-69-68=272) Playoff United States Jason Dufner
3 Aug 5, 2012 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational −13 (67-69-67-64=267) 1 stroke United States Jim Furyk, United States Steve Stricker
4 Sep 10, 2018 BMW Championship −20 (66-64-66-64=260) Playoff England Justin Rose
5 Oct 16, 2022 Zozo Championship1 −15 (66-65-66-68=265) 1 stroke United States Rickie Fowler, United States Andrew Putnam
6 Jun 25, 2023 Travelers Championship −23 (62-63-64-68=257) 3 strokes United States Zac Blair, United States Brian Harman
7 Aug 25, 2024 BMW Championship (2) −12 (66-68-70-72=276) 1 stroke Sweden Ludvig Åberg, United States Sam Burns,
Australia Adam Scott
8 Jun 22, 2025 Travelers Championship (2) −15 (64-70-63-68=265) 1 stroke England Tommy Fleetwood, United States Russell Henley

1Co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour, but unofficial event on that tour.

PGA Tour playoff record (3–2)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 2011 HP Byron Nelson Championship United States Ryan Palmer Won with par on first extra hole
2 2011 PGA Championship United States Jason Dufner Won three-hole aggregate playoff;
Bradley: −1 (3-3-4=10),
Dufner: E (4-4-3=11)
3 2012 Northern Trust Open United States Bill Haas, United States Phil Mickelson Haas won with birdie on second extra hole
4 2018 BMW Championship England Justin Rose Won with par on first extra hole
5 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii South Korea An Byeong-hun, United States Grayson Murray Murray won with birdie on first extra hole

NGA Hooters Tour wins (1)

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner-up
1 Aug 9, 2009 Texas Honing Open −18 (65-68-68-69=270) 5 strokes United States Jeff Corr

Other wins (4)

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

Other playoff record (1–0)

No. Year Tournament Opponents Result
1 2016 CVS Health Charity Classic
(with United States Jon Curran)		 United States Billy Andrade and United States Bill Haas Won with birdie on first extra hole

Major championships

Wis (1)

Year Championship 54 holes Winning score Margin Runner-up
2011 PGA Championship 1 shot deficit −8 (71-64-69-68=272) Playoff1 United States Jason Dufner

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 Tournament T27 T54 CUT T22 T52
U.S. Open T68 CUT T4 T27 CUT T60 CUT
The Open Championship T34 T15 T19 CUT T18 79
PGA Championship 1 T3 T19 CUT T61 T42 T33 T42
Tournament 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Masters Tournament T43 T23 T22 CUT
PGA Championship T29 CUT T17 T48 T29 T18 T8
U.S. Open CUT CUT T7 CUT T32 T33
The Open Championship CUT NT CUT CUT CUT CUT
  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

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
Masters Tournament 0 0 0 0 0 3 9 7
PGA Championship 1 0 1 2 3 6 15 13
U.S. Open 0 0 0 1 2 2 13 7
The Open Championship 0 0 0 0 0 3 11 5
Totals 1 0 1 3 5 14 48 32
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 6 (2011 PGA – 2013 Masters)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (five times)

Results in The Players Championship

Tournament 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
The Players Championship 72 T35 CUT CUT CUT T35 T60 T7 T16
Tournament 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
The Players Championship C T29 5 CUT CUT T20
  Top 10

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

Wins (1)

Year Championship 54 holes Winning score Margin Runners-up
2012 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational 4 shot deficit −13 (67-69-67-64=267) 1 stroke United States Jim Furyk, United States Steve Stricker

Results timeline

Results not in chronological order before 2015.

Tournament 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Championship T8 7 T50 T38 T10
Match Play R32 R64 R64 T52 T36 T40 NT1 T35 T28
Invitational T15 1 T2 T4 T17 T61 T52
Champions T16 23 T11 T64 6 T24 NT1 NT1 NT1

1Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

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[45]
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
2023 2 9,010,040 9
2024 1 6,879,455 9
Career* 7 (1) 50,865,497 16[46]

* As of the 6/15/25.

U.S. national team appearances

Professional

See also

References

[edit]

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  37. ^ Ferguson, Doug (June 22, 2025). “Keegan Bradley pulls a stunner to deny Fleetwood and win the Travelers Championship”. Associated Press. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
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  47. American male golfers

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