On the final day of the Travelers Championship, Keegan Bradley finds himself atop the leaderboard at 21 under, holding a one-shot lead over Chez Reavie. Regardless of how Bradley finishes the tournament, this week has already been a special one for him.
Growing up in the New England area, Bradley said the Travelers was the first PGA Tour event he attended as a youngster.
“I came here and watched David Duval play,” he said. “I remember looking at his tee time and making sure I got here when he warmed up.
“The range was right over here, and it was my first real taste of what the PGA Tour was like.”
But now that Bradley has a chance to win the Travelers, his sole focus is on finishing the job — something he’s dreamt about since turning pro in 2010.
“My mind wasn’t to play the majors,” he said. “It was I get to come play Hartford.”
Bradley’s chances Sunday may hinge on his flatstick, with the 37-year-old currently third in strokes gained: putting this week (+2.16).
When asked about why his putting has been so lethal, Bradley credited the AimPoint technique — which, he said, is especially helpful on TPC River Highlands’ bentgrass greens.
“With AimPoint and the way I putt, bentgrass is especially nice with this style,” he said. “I’ve just been really feeling the reads really well. Speed’s been good.”
That’s enabled Bradley to be extra-confident.
“I don’t know, just every time I’m standing over a putt, I feel like I have a chance to make it, which is a great feeling,” he said.
Bradley then revealed his secret — the AimPoint putting technique that allows him to feel the slopes in the greens with his feet. (For more on how AimPoint works, check out this explainer.)
“I practice it just like I would practice hitting drivers,” he said. “I have to practice feeling the degrees in my feet. It’s something that I have to work on.
“I do it on my off weeks. I do it before every round. It’s just a little reminder. It’s just like doing a drill that you’re working on your swing. It’s part of the game I have to work on.”
With his putter hotter than ever, and his game primed for a second victory this season, it’s no wonder Bradley said he’s playing the best golf of his career right now.
“This is about as good as I’ve ever played this week,” he said. “But I’ve been playing great all year. Actually been playing good the last couple months.”
One more good round and Bradley could fulfill his childhood dream.
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