CROMWELL, Conn. – Travelers Championship Recap
In a thrilling finish, Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley clinched victory at the Travelers Championship, shooting a 2-under 68 on Sunday. He made an impressive comeback, winning by sinking a final birdie putt on the 18th hole despite starting the day three shots behind.
This win adds to the momentum from an incident where Bradley took his club to Beth Page Black for a pivotal match against Europe. Now, he’s climbed to 9th in the rankings after defeating Tommy Fleetwood, who had pivotal points for Europe at Marco Simone two years prior.
Heading into the final hole, Bradley was just a shot behind Fleetwood. He made a fantastic approach, landing just six feet from the hole. While Fleetwood had suggested earlier that he was on his way to clinching the title, he ended up three-putting for a bogey, finishing at 72.
Bradley’s reaction was electric; as the putt dropped, he celebrated with a fist pump. He faced the oppressive heat of the TPC River Highlands and nailed a 15-foot birdie followed by a six-footer to seal the win. “Of all the shots and all the putts I hit, I think I remember it the most,” he remarked, referring to that final birdie.
Fleetwood, a 34-year-old English golfer, has a solid reputation globally, but this was his 84th regular PGA Tour event without a win. He started slow and missed two crucial putts from six feet in the last five holes.
Russell Henry also made a notable play, chipping in from across the green on 18 for a birdie. He had faced a one-shot penalty in the second round when he noticed his ball move slightly during a chip shot.
Over the past ten months, Bradley has secured two wins against strong competition. Only Scotty Scheffler has tallied more victories among current Ryder Cup players since last August.
When asked about the significance of his performance on the 18th Green, Bradley cheerfully exclaimed, “Go USA!” The smattering of fans in the glaring sun, especially after his remarkable 65-foot birdie on the ninth hole, was certainly encouraging.
Bradley was closely matched with Fleetwood, especially as the British golfer drilled a birdie on the 14th, positioning himself well. However, as Bradley’s approach faltered into a bunker on the 15th, he rallied back with a brilliant 35-foot birdie putt. Fleetwood’s bogey on 16 allowed Bradley to pull ahead, leading to his second Travelers win in three years.
The atmosphere was electric, with chants of “USA! USA!” echoing around the course as Bradley made his final putts. He concluded the tournament at 15 under 265, taking home $3.6 million, marking his first title in this event. He also previously secured the BMW Championship last August in Denver.
Having just turned 39, Bradley celebrated a year of being named Ryder Cup captain and the journey that has brought him here.
In other results, Harris English finished fourth with a score of 65, boosting his Ryder Cup prospects, while Jason Day shot 68. Scotty Scheffler, who led after 36 holes, shot 72 but managed to tie for sixth place with Rory McIlroy, who also posted a solid 65. Both have already locked in spots for the Ryder Cup, with Bradley assured a role, though the specifics of it remain uncertain.
