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On the final day of the Travelers’ Championship, Keegan Bradley found himself at the top of the leaderboard in 21-under, one shot ahead of Chez Reavie. No matter how Bradley finished the tournament, this week has already been special for him.
Bradley grew up in the New England area, and said the Travelers was the first PGA Tour event he attended as a youth.
“I came here and watched David Duvall play,” he said. “I remember looking at the tee time and making sure I got here when I was ready.
“The range was right here, and it was my first real taste of what the PGA Tour was all about.”
But now that Bradley has a chance to win the Traveller, his only focus is on finishing the job – something he’s been dreaming of since turning pro in 2010.
“It wasn’t in my mind to play the big leagues,” he said. “I just had to play Hartford.”
Bradley’s chances on Sunday may hinge on his flats, as the now 37-year-old has earned his third-ranked stroke: placing this week (+2.16).
When asked why his situation was so deadly, Bradley credited AimPoint technology — which, he said, is particularly useful on the Bentgrass greens in the TPC River Highlands.
“With AimPoint and the method I’m using, girlgrass is especially nice with that approach,” he said. “I was feeling really well read. The pacing was good.”
This enabled Bradley to be very confident.
“I don’t know,” he said, “just every time I stand to pitch a batter, I feel like I have a chance to make it, and it feels great.”
Then Bradley revealed his secret – AimPoint placement technology that allows him to feel the slopes in the greens with his feet. (For more information on how AimPoint works, see this explanation.)
“I practice it just like I practice hitting drivers,” he said. “I have to practice feeling the steps in my feet. It’s something I have to work on.
“I do it in my weeks off. I do it before every round. It’s just a little reminder. It’s like doing a drill that you’re working on your swing. It’s part of the game that I have to work on.”
With his club hotter than ever, and his game poised for a second victory of the season, it’s no wonder Bradley said he’s playing the best golf of his career right now.
“It’s as good as I’ve ever played this week,” he said. “But I’ve been playing great all year. In fact he’s been playing really well the last couple of months.”
Another good run and Bradley could fulfill his childhood dream.