Keegan Bradley Secures First PGA Tour Title In 1,498 Days
In a tightly fought contest, it was Keegan Bradley who claimed victory at the ZOZO Championship
Going into the final round of the ZOZO Championship, we were treated to a congested field with a lot of star power. Not only was eventual winner, Keegan Bradley, looking for a first title in 1,498 days, but there was also Rickie Fowler, who himself hadn't picked up a PGA Tour win in 1,350 days.
In fact it was Fowler who began the day ahead, as a third round 66 put him one shot clear of Bradley, as well as a few strokes clear of Andrew Putnam and Viktor Hovland.
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Early doors though and it was Bradley who took the lead at Narashino Country Club, with back-to-back birdies at the fifth and sixth vaulting him two clear of Fowler, who began his first six holes with five pars and a bogey.
As the pack headed to the back nine, it was Bradley who still held the slim advantage and, when a birdie dropped at the 11th, it seemed the title was destined for the American.
However, winning is never easy, especially when you bogey the 14th and 16th to see your two shot lead evaporate. Bradley though dug in, with a clutch birdie on the 17th giving him a two shot advantage going down the 72nd hole.
Safely finding the putting surface, he duly two-putted for a one shot win over Fowler and Putnam, securing a first victory since the 2018 BMW Championship in the process. Coming off the green, the 36-year-old emotionally stated: "I'm trying to keep it together, but I really want to thank my wife Jillian for all of the sacrifices she made for my family and thanks to Terry and May and all of my coaches.
"I knew it wasn't going to be easy. That two-putt on the 16th was major, but I was ready and that birdie putt on the 17th goes down as one of the best holes of my life. I played in the final group when Tiger won here and I got to watch him do that, but I'm so proud to win this title in Japan."
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Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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