ORLANDO, FL. – No, Keegan Bradley didn’t win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Russell Henley did, winning a gritty battle with Collin Morikawa.
Henley was the benefactor of a pair of two-shot swings on the back nine, making a birdie at the par-3 fourth and a chip-in for eagle at No. 16 to win by one stroke. Winning for the first time in over two years, Henley shot 70 in the final round to post an 11-under-par 277. Morikawa, the third-round leader, carded a 72.
They were the stars of the PGA Tour’s fourth Signature event of the season, a $20 million offering that paid $4 million to Henley.
What Bradley did, though, shouldn’t go unnoticed. The U.S. Ryder Cup captain became the first player to break 30 on either nine at Bay Hill, the home of the late, great legendary Arnold Palmer. I consider Bradley’s a feel good story with very possible positive ramifications.
Bradley, trying to shake off a 76 in the third round, came out sizzling in his final 18. He holed a wedge shot at No. 6 for eagle and followed that up with four consecutive birdies. He was 8-under-par for the day after 10 holes.
He couldn’t keep up the pace, making his lone bogey when his tee shot sailed left at the par-3 fourteenth, and settled for an 8-under-par 64 and a tie or fifth place.
Still, this hot nine meant something for what might happen down the road. Bradley has made it no secret he wants to by a playing captain when the Ryder Cup comes to Bethpage Black in New York in September.
Playing captains were commonplace in the early years of the Ryder Cup, but the U.S. hasn’t had one since – coincidently – Palmer in 1963. That was the first year the competition was extended from two days to three days.
Frankly, I hope Bradley achieves this lofty goal. His play at the API won’t hurt, but there’s more to it than that. Bradley is playing well. He’s made all five cuts this year, with his best showing a tie for sixth at the Sony Open in Hawaii – the second tournament of the season.What a story it’d be if he can select himself to play against those Europeans!
It’d give a new storyline to the Ryder Cup, which has been dominated by the Euros in recent years. Bradley badly wanted his chance to be the U.S. captain but was initially rejected. Tiger Woods was expected to get the job but, apparently, Woods turned it down and Bradley was promptly told the captaincy would be his.
Bradley has been a decent Ryder Cup player, going 4-3-0 in his matches. Now 38, he’s still in his prime as a competitor. He has seven career PGA Tour wins, $48 million in career prize money in a pro career that started in 2008, a major title (the 2011 PGA Championship) and a fiery temperament ideal for igniting a team that failed miserably when Zach Johnson was its leader in Europe in 2023. Why shouldn’t this guy give himself a playing spot if his results deem him worthy.
The American gallery won’t have trouble supporting him. He struggled in his third round at Bay Hill, but made a birdie at the ninth hole that ignited the crowd. Chants of “USA! USA! USA!’’ resonated loudly, and Bradley urged them to keep it up.
A few more things about Bradley. He comes from good genes. His father was a golf professional and his aunt, Pat Bradley, was one of the LPGA greats and a World Golf Hall of Famer. He’s got a wife and two kids more than willing to cheer him on, too. Bradley expected them to head home to Vermont when he left for his Sunday tee time.
They didn’t. Jillian kept the crew around and Keegan rewarded them.
“I was proud of the way I played,’’ said Bradley.“My kids are my good luck charm.’’
