October 01, 2012
St. John's alumnus Keegan Bradley came to the 39th Ryder Cup as
a rookie with a world of talent but questions remained, "could he
deliver when the pressure was on?" And, as crushing a defeat
as it was for the U.S. (squandering a 10-6 lead only to lose to the
Europeans 14 1/2 to 13 1/2), that question was answered as
millions of people saw the real Keegan Bradley come of age as a
"bonafide star in the annals of American golf" this week
at Medinah (IL) Country Club just outside of Chicago.
His 3-1-0 record was the most points (3) by an individual
American, along with Jason Dufner, Dustin and Zach Johnson, and
Phil Mickelson. He gave world number #1 Rory McIlroy all he
could handle before losing 2 and 1 on Sunday. Bradley became the
first U.S. rookie to win in his first three team matches since
Loren Roberts in 1995.
Plus, his pairing with idol Phil Mickelson proved masterful by
captain Davis Love III, as the dynamic duo played 44 holes and only
trailed for three holes the entire weekend.
He hit long putts for birdies to electrify the crowd, bombed
drives off the tee that disappeared out of site and measured a
staggering 320+ yards on average. Rookies at the Ryder Cup normally
don't turn in these types of performances.
Even off the course his enthusiasm made him a fan favorite.
Prior to the final round, Bradley inexplicably ran up the player
walkway to the first tee and got the crowd in a frenzy before
Sunday's 12-match format got underway. He felt it was his duty to
take the initiative, and that more than anything personifies a new
dawning in American golf and Keegan Bradley has made a claim for
being the "emotional leader of a new crop of U.S. talent."
Ryder Cup week will highlight Bradley's exploits at the 39th
competition of this Super Bowl of Golf, but on this day the
Europeans would not be denied defending the Cup title of two
years ago. Even a late wake up call for McIlroy, who almost missed
his tee time, couldn't derail the Europeans from winning.
The Americans were gracious in defeat as Bradley tweeted, "real
tough (to take) but great playing to the Europeans." Davis Love III
may have said it best when he noted to close the post U.S. press
conference, "America can be proud of this team."
Bradley is an ambassador for St. John's University and you can
add American Golf to that moniker, but he's even a better person, a
gentleman and a fierce competitor at the age of 26, who
respects the game of golf and its traditions - as well as being
gracious in defeat.
For more information contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice
President for Media Relations by calling 718.990-6185 or e-mail
inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu. For
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