Bradley holds off Schwartzel to win
Source: Agencies |
October 21, 2011, Friday
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PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley held off a charging Charl Schwartzel to win the elite, end-of-season PGA Grand Slam of Golf by one shot in Southampton, Bermuda, on Wednesday.
American Bradley fired an even-par 71 for a 4-under total of 138 in strong winds at Port Royal Golf Course, just enough to pip Masters champion Schwartzel to the title.
"It was a very tough day," Bradley told reporters after winning his third tournament this year. "But I played very well on the back nine, which is very important on this course.
"I had a lot of fun, and this is a really very nice way to top off the season."
South African Schwartzel, seven strokes behind co-leaders Bradley and Rory McIlroy overnight in the two-round stroke-play event, signed off with a seven-birdie 65.
He raced to the turn in 5-under 31 with five consecutive birdies from the fifth to briefly hold a share of the lead before dropping his only shot of the day at the par-3 13th. The slender South African then picked up further shots at the 15th and 17th to end up a stroke behind Bradley.
See the wind
"I was happy to see the wind up," Schwartzel said. "I know I can play well in the wind. It's just a matter of making a few putts out there, and I started getting it going."
Bradley, who became the first player to win a major title using a long putter with his PGA Championship victory at Atlanta Athletic Club in August, was stunned by Schwartzel's display. "What he did in the middle part of that round was pretty amazing," the 25-year-old said.
Bradley kept the South African at bay with birdies at the 10th and 17th as he covered the back nine in 2 under to clinch the title.
"It was a lot more intense than I thought it was going to be," the American said. "And coming down the stretch, it felt like any other tournament that I played in. I was nervous over that five-footer to win."
US Open champion McIlroy followed his opening 67 with a 75 to finish third at even par with fellow Northern Irishman Darren Clarke (74) a distant fourth at 9 over.
The Grand Slam of Golf traditionally brings together the winners of the year's four majors.
American Bradley fired an even-par 71 for a 4-under total of 138 in strong winds at Port Royal Golf Course, just enough to pip Masters champion Schwartzel to the title.
"It was a very tough day," Bradley told reporters after winning his third tournament this year. "But I played very well on the back nine, which is very important on this course.
"I had a lot of fun, and this is a really very nice way to top off the season."
South African Schwartzel, seven strokes behind co-leaders Bradley and Rory McIlroy overnight in the two-round stroke-play event, signed off with a seven-birdie 65.
He raced to the turn in 5-under 31 with five consecutive birdies from the fifth to briefly hold a share of the lead before dropping his only shot of the day at the par-3 13th. The slender South African then picked up further shots at the 15th and 17th to end up a stroke behind Bradley.
See the wind
"I was happy to see the wind up," Schwartzel said. "I know I can play well in the wind. It's just a matter of making a few putts out there, and I started getting it going."
Bradley, who became the first player to win a major title using a long putter with his PGA Championship victory at Atlanta Athletic Club in August, was stunned by Schwartzel's display. "What he did in the middle part of that round was pretty amazing," the 25-year-old said.
Bradley kept the South African at bay with birdies at the 10th and 17th as he covered the back nine in 2 under to clinch the title.
"It was a lot more intense than I thought it was going to be," the American said. "And coming down the stretch, it felt like any other tournament that I played in. I was nervous over that five-footer to win."
US Open champion McIlroy followed his opening 67 with a 75 to finish third at even par with fellow Northern Irishman Darren Clarke (74) a distant fourth at 9 over.
The Grand Slam of Golf traditionally brings together the winners of the year's four majors.
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