Local New England golfing hope Keegan Bradley fulfilled his childhood dream by winning and breaking the tournament record at the Travelers Championship in front of an adoring crowd of fans.
Despite a shaky closing stretch, closing with a 2-under 68 on the final day, Bradley secured a three-shot victory in the Cromwell, Connecticut tournament.
Bradley, who went 62-63-64 in the first three rounds, finished at 23-under 257 at TPC River Highlands, a shot better than Kenny Perry's previous record from 2009.
The 37-year-old walked up to his ball on the 18th green, sank a 2-foot par putt and threw his arms into the air and let out a yell. He finished three shots ahead of Zac Blair, who shot 62, and Brian Harman, who closed with a 64.
“This is for all the kids who grew up in New England and had to endure the winters and watch other people play golf,” said Bradley, who was born in Vermont and also lived in Massachusetts. “I am just so proud to win this tournament."
Bradley grew up in Woodstock, Vermont, two and a half hours from Cromwell, Connecticut, but the Travelers – established in 1952 as the Insurance City Open – has cemented itself as the Tour’s event for all of New England.
He has also skied competitively in New Hampshire and Maine, won golf tournaments in Rhode Island and first visited this Travelers championship as a teenager to chase after his favorite golfer, David Duval.
He maintains a residence in Newburyport, Massachusetts, at least for the summer months and into the fall. Why? “Because I love living here and I’ve missed it. My mother lives in the town, my sister, too, and we’re only two hours from Jillian’s parents.”
Through and through, Bradley is a New Englander and this was a win on home soil for the home fans.
Bradley collected his second victory this season and sixth of his career with a 2-under 68.
“Feels unbelievable. I literally can’t believe it,” Bradley said. “It was a really stressful day. I’m so glad it’s over.
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler (65), Patrick Cantlay (67) and Chez Reavie (71), who entered the day one shot back of Bradley in second place, tied for fourth.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland fired a 6-under 64 and Denny McCarthy, who shot a 60 in the first round, tied for seventh at 18 under. McIlroy, ranked No. 3 in the world, has finished in the top 10 in each of his last five starts on the PGA Tour. McIlroy said for Bradley to win “sort of like his home tournament” was “amazing.”
“I know what that pressure feels like when I go back to Ireland and play the Irish Open,” McIlroy said. “So for him to be doing what he’s doing is really impressive.”
Bradley’s other win this season was the Zozo Championship on October 16, 2022. His latest victory moved him up from No 28 to 17 in the Official World Golf Ranking, and earning 500 points elevated him from No 15 to fifth in the FedExCup standings for the season.
