Keegan Bradley had quite a moment of triumph recently.
As he celebrated his win at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut, fans cheered with chants of “America.” Meanwhile, Tommy Fleetwood was left to ponder a disappointing finish on the 18th green.
After making a bogey on the final hole, Fleetwood was seen embracing his wife, Claire, while Bradley clinched the victory with a critical birdie putt.
Fleetwood, who is 34, has amassed 42 top-10 finishes in his career but has yet to secure a win on the PGA Tour.
“I’m really upset right now. I’m angry. Once I calm down, I think I can reflect on what went well and what I can improve,” he told reporters. “It’s felt like a while since I’ve been in this position, and while I did a lot of things right, there’s definitely room for improvement.”
He had started the final round with a three-stroke lead but stumbled, bogeying three of the first four holes, which opened the door for Bradley and Russell Henry.
Fleetwood went into the last hole with a one-shot advantage, hitting his driver into the fairway. However, after some uncertainty about his club choice, his approach left him short of the green. Meanwhile, Bradley executed a solid approach, leaving a putt just five feet from the hole, while Henry also made a birdie to close in on the lead.
Fleetwood’s first putt missed the mark, allowing Bradley to take advantage and sink his putt for the win.
This marked the final event of the season, with Bradley taking home $3.6 million in winnings. Fleetwood and Henry each earned $1.76 million for tying in second.
“It’s frustrating because this will affect how I perform in the future,” Fleetwood noted. “I played really well and was leading the tournament for most of the time. I just need to regroup and focus on improving for next time.”
Bradley’s win adds a new layer of interest for the upcoming Ryder Cup, as he might position himself for a spot on the 12-player American team set to face Europe at Beth Page Black in September.
Currently ranked 9th, he knows six players are automatically qualified while the rest will be selected by the captain.
“This definitely shifts the narrative,” said the 39-year-old Bradley. “If I hadn’t won, I doubt they would have considered me. This really opens up the possibility for me. I need to be clear about what’s best for the team moving forward.”
