CROMWELL, Conn — Keegan Bradley built a big enough lead in front of adoring New England fans that he broke the tournament record at the Travelers Championship despite a shaky closing stretch, closing with a 2-under-par 68 for a three-shot victory Sunday.
Bradley, who shot 62-63-64 in the first three rounds of the 72-hole event at TPC River Highlands, finished at 23-under 257, a stroke better than Kenny Perry’s previous record from 2009.
With fans chanting his name, the 37-year-old golfer walked up to his ball on the 18th green, sank a two-foot par putt and threw his arms into the air and let out a yell. Zac Blair (62) and Brian Harman (64) tied for second.
“This is for all the kids who grew up in New England and had to endure the winters and watch other people play golf,” said Bradley, who was born in Vermont and also lived in Massachusetts. “I am just so proud to win this tournament.”
Bradley had made just one bogey in the tournament before dropping three shots in his final six holes as the nerves seemed to get to him at the PGA Tour event he said he most wanted to win. This was his sixth tour victory and second this season; he won the Zozo Championship in Japan this past October.