Keegan Bradley The Big Story In Boston
You would think that Troy Matteson's 6-under, 65 would be the story after round one of the Deutsche Bank Championship, but what has become very clear this week is that Keegan Bradley is the story in New England, no matter what he shoots.
When Bradley won the PGA Championship last month he went from a rookie that won on the PGA Tour to a New Englander that won on the PGA Tour and with that Bradley is now the guy in Boston.
He started the week throwing out the first pitch in the opening game of the Red Sox's and Yankees series and two days later involved in the coin toss at the New England Patriot's game on Thursday night.
"Just meeting the guys on the Red Sox and the Patriots, how nice they are and how they kind of look at me as one of there own," Bradley said of how surprised he was about the players on his favorite teams. "It's really, really fun to be in that kind of inside group. As a little kid it was a dream of mine to just go to the games, let alone meet the guys. "
So Bradley's first round 3-under, 68 was gravy for the Bostonians.
"It's very, very nice to get that type of support. My family has always given me that support, and to see my Aunt Pat out there with all my uncles, it was very, very cool, "Bradley said.
Entering the Deutsche Bank at 14th in the playoff points list, Bradley's T7 would actually drop him one spot, but comfortably advance to the BMW Championship in two weeks and very likely the finale in the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
"I didn't particularly drive it that way, but I chipped and putted really, really well," Bradley said of four birdies and a bogey. "I made a lot of good putts, and even the putts I missed I almost made. Like the putt on the last hole was dead center. If I could just get some ball‑striking going, I think I can shoot a pretty low number."
With three rounds left, Bradley has a chance to make a move and also solidify a position on the President's Cup team that will make the trip to Australia in November.
"I really want to be on the team. I want to earn my way on the team, first and foremost," Bradley said. "I've still got plenty of time. I think Fred Couples is a great captain. He knows exactly what he's doing. Tiger Woods is one of the best players ever to play. That's not a bad choice at all. Anybody that he picks, he knows best. He's played in so many of these things."
Stuart Hall is editor of the Golf Press Association.
