August 16, 2011
One of St. John's University's all-time best golfers, Keegan Bradley '08CPS made golf history when
he won the PGA Championship on August 14, becoming
the first rookie in eight years – and only the third golfer in
history – to win a major championship in his first
appearance.
Claiming his first major career championship, Bradley, 25, came
back from five shots down over his final three holes at the Atlanta Athletic
Club for an eight-under 272 total that tied him with
veteran Jason Dufner. Bradley secured the
championship by winning a three-hole, sudden-death playoff against
Dufner by one stroke.
Thanking the PGA and his father, Mark Bradley, the young
champion had a special word for his alma mater. "I don't
think I'd be here without St. John's." Bradley was a leading member
of
St. John's men's golf team from 2004 to 2007. In his last year
on the team, Bradley was voted the team's MVP.
“This is one of those moments that really validates what you’re
doing as a coaching staff,” said St. John’s men’s golf coach Frank Darby. “A lot of people have been trying
to figure out what we do over here, because of Keegan’s success and
Andrew Svoboda on the Nationwide Tour. This is one thing that
proves we’re doing it the right way.”
In May, Bradley earned his first PGA TOUR victory, winning the 2011 HP Byron
Nelson Championship in Texas in similar sudden-death
fashion. “Over the past six months, winning in Texas, and now a
major title, he’s been the best American golfer on tour the last
six months,” said former St. John’s teammate,
Mike Ballo Jr.
In winning the PGA Championship, Bradley jumped from 103rd to 29th
in the world rankings and took home a check for $1.445
million.
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