Henley wins at Bay Hill, but Bradley steals the show
By Len Ziehm
Photos by Joy Sarver
ORLANDO, FL. – No, Keegan Bradley didn’t win the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill. Russell Henley did, winning a gritty battle with Collin Morikawa.
Henley was the benefactor of a pair of two-shot swings on the back nine, making a birdie at the par-3 fourth and a chip-in for eagle at No. 16 to win by one stroke. Winning for the first time in over two years, Henley shot 70 in the final round to post an 11-under-par 277. Morikawa, the third-round leader, carded a 72.
They were the stars of the PGA Tour’s fourth Signature event of the season, a $20 million offering that paid $4 million to Henley.
What Bradley did, though, shouldn’t go unnoticed. The U.S. Ryder Cup captain became the first player to break 30 on either nine at Bay Hill, the home of the late, great legendary Arnold Palmer. I consider Bradley’s a feel good story with very possible positive ramifications.
Bradley, trying to shake off a 76 in the third round, came out sizzling in his final 18. He holed a wedge shot at No. 6 for eagle and followed that up with four consecutive birdies. He was 8-under-par for the day after 10 holes.
He couldn’t keep up the pace, making his lone bogey when his tee shot sailed left at the par-3 fourteenth, and settled for an 8-under-par 64 and a tie or fifth place.
Still, this hot nine meant something for what might happen down the road. Bradley has made it no secret he wants to by a playing captain when the Ryder Cup comes to Bethpage Black in New York in September.
Keegan Bradley on the first tee of the final round at the API presented by MasterCard (photo by Joy Sarver)
Playing captains were commonplace in the early years of the Ryder Cup, but the U.S. hasn’t had one since – coincidently – Palmer in 1963. That was the first year the competition was extended from two days to three days.
Frankly, I hope Bradley achieves this lofty goal. His play at the API won’t hurt, but there’s more to it than that. Bradley is playing well. He’s made all five cuts this year, with his best showing a tie for sixth at the Sony Open in Hawaii – the second tournament of the season.What a story it’d be if he can select himself to play against those Europeans!
It’d give a new storyline to the Ryder Cup, which has been dominated by the Euros in recent years. Bradley badly wanted his chance to be the U.S. captain but was initially rejected. Tiger Woods was expected to get the job but, apparently, Woods turned it down and Bradley was promptly told the captaincy would be his.
Bradley has been a decent Ryder Cup player, going 4-3-0 in his matches. Now 38, he’s still in his prime as a competitor. He has seven career PGA Tour wins, $48 million in career prize money in a pro career that started in 2008, a major title (the 2011 PGA Championship) and a fiery temperament ideal for igniting a team that failed miserably when Zach Johnson was its leader in Europe in 2023. Why shouldn’t this guy give himself a playing spot if his results deem him worthy.
The American gallery won’t have trouble supporting him. He struggled in his third round at Bay Hill, but made a birdie at the ninth hole that ignited the crowd. Chants of “USA! USA! USA!’’ resonated loudly, and Bradley urged them to keep it up.
A few more things about Bradley. He comes from good genes. His father was a golf professional and his aunt, Pat Bradley, was one of the LPGA greats and a World Golf Hall of Famer. He’s got a wife and two kids more than willing to cheer him on, too. Bradley expected them to head home to Vermont when he left for his Sunday tee time.
They didn’t. Jillian kept the crew around and Keegan rewarded them.
“I was proud of the way I played,’’ said Bradley.“My kids are my good luck charm.’’
Len has been covering golf for over 56 years. He was the golf columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times for 41 years and has been in the same role for the Daily Herald and several regional newspapers since 2009… Len is also a regular contributor to the Chicago District Golfer magazine and his travel pieces are regularly published in eSouthernGolf and the Ohio Golf Journal. His works for all publications are available at LenZiehmOnGolf.com. It is in its 15th year of operation and has been enhanced by the photography provided by his partner Joy Sarver… An inductee into the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004 (for his reporting and youth coaching, not as a player), Len was also inducted into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame in 2019. He is also on the Advisory Board of the International Network of Golf, is a lifetime member of the Golf Writers Association of America and a member of the Golf Travel Writers of America.
