For Keegan Bradley, what a difference a year makes

Keegan Bradley's journey over the past year has been nothing short of remarkable, exemplifying the transformative power of determination and resilience in the world of professional golf.

In the summer of 2022, at the BMW Championship in Wilmington, Delaware, Bradley found himself at a crossroads. He missed out on the players' meeting, struggled to perform, and finished a disappointing T58, falling short of securing a spot in the TOUR Championship. The situation was a far cry from his earlier successes, including winning the PGA Championship in 2011 and contributing significantly to the U.S. Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams in subsequent years.

However, adversity often serves as a catalyst for change. Bradley, driven by a strong desire to reclaim his position at the forefront of the golfing world, embarked on a mission to prove his mettle once again.

Recalling that pivotal moment, Bradley stated, "Yeah, I left this tournament last year on a mission really. I was pissed. Sometimes that's good. It was the best thing to happen to me. I decided at this tournament around today, around Wednesday, I think, I was like, OK, I knew there were some changes coming, as well, to the TOUR and to the elevated events and all this stuff was coming, and I thought to myself, I've got to give this a really hard push."

After facing the lows of a career slump, Bradley's dedication and unwavering effort paid off. He made significant changes to his game and approach, steadily improving his performance on the greens and fine-tuning his overall gameplay.

Bradley's resurgence was evident as he contended at various tournaments, including a strong showing at the Wells Fargo Championship. Following a T2 finish, he persisted, maintaining his resolve to make a triumphant comeback. The turning point came with victories at the ZOZO Championship and the Travelers Championship. The latter, particularly heartwarming, saw Bradley triumph in front of his home crowd in Hartford, Connecticut.

As the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields approaches, Bradley's transformation is undeniable. With two wins under his belt this season and a remarkable ascent in the rankings, from 47th to 16th, he has secured his spot as a compelling contender.

Bradley's resurgence holds particular significance as he is set to make his long-awaited return to the TOUR Championship, marking the first time in five years. His story serves as one of the standout comeback narratives of the season, a testament to his unwavering dedication and the power of resilience.

Looking ahead, Bradley's journey continues with new goals on the horizon. Among them is his aspiration to be part of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team, a dream that has remained unfulfilled but is now within closer reach than ever before. With the Ryder Cup on the horizon, Bradley remains focused on his pursuit of excellence and aims to contribute to a winning team that will seek victory on foreign soil.

Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Bradley shared, "I made a lot of changes, and … I'm very proud of where I've gotten. But I got such a big step ahead of me with this Ryder Cup. I would really like to be on a winning Ryder Cup team someday. I'm not there at the end yet because I did leave here with a lot of questions about the rest of my career. I didn't want to just coast into the end. I think I've got a good bunch of years left, and it was a nice wake-up call."