Keegan Bradley, a revered figure in the world of golf, recently shared a heart-warming reminiscence from his first year on the PGA Tour, an encounter with the legendary Arnold Palmer. Bradley has earned a reputation for his exceptional performance, and his recent exploits at the Arnold Palmer Invitational only served to reinforce his standing.
Despite not clinching the ultimate victory, Bradley’s record of 29 on the front nine at Bay Hill was a highlight, pushing him into serious contention. His performance not only added to his event score at Bethpage but once again confirmed his status as a leading player within the American contingent.
As he savored his achievements at the tournament, Bradley took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about his interactions with Arnold Palmer, the tournament’s namesake and a titan of the sport. The players at Bay Hill are often asked to share their personal experiences and memories of Palmer, given his enormous influence on the game.
Bradley, when probed about his most memorable interaction with Palmer, narrated an incident from his rookie year. He was paired with Sam Saunders, and to his surprise, Palmer followed them around the course in a cart. “That was pretty surreal,” Bradley admitted. At the tender age of 25, in his fifth or sixth PGA Tour event, the realization that Arnold Palmer was watching him play was indelible, a memory that would last a lifetime.
When asked if Palmer’s presence had any impact on his gameplay, Bradley couldn’t recall specifics but expressed his excitement and joy at being in the same vicinity as the iconic golfer. This experience, during his first major event, was indeed special.
Looking ahead, the question of whether Keegan Bradley will play in the Ryder Cup is up in the air. Bradley is currently not in the top six for the Ryder Cup. However, his recent performances and his current 15th place standing could make automatic selection a possibility.
Bradley has previously stated he wouldn’t use a captain’s pick on himself if he doesn’t make the automatic selection. But his recent form could propel him into the top six. He has been candid about his Ryder Cup plans, revealing that his vice-captains were chosen with the understanding they might have to step in if he is playing.
Bradley said, “Every vice captain that I am choosing will know that this is a possibility. So they will know what’s going on in that way. I also have John Wood who has come on.” He expressed confidence in his vice captains’ abilities to take over, and hoped they would all get the opportunity to captain in the future.
It remains to be seen whether Bradley will take part in the Ryder Cup. While he undoubtedly has the desire to, should he not make the cut, one can’t help but imagine a sense of relief washing over him.