Keegan Bradley drained a key birdie putt on the 17th hole Sunday and ended a long victory drought at the Zozo Championship in Chiba, Japan.
Bradley carded a 2-under-par 68 in the final round at Accordia Golf Narashino C.C. to finish at 15-under 265, one shot ahead of third-round leader Rickie Fowler and second round co-leader Andrew Putnam.
It was the fifth PGA Tour win for Bradley and the first since the 2018 BMW Championship, a span of 1,498 days. The 2011 PGA Championship winner earned $1.98 million and overtook Mackenzie Hughes for the early lead in the FedExCup standings.
Bradley, Fowler and Putnam all held the lead at various stages Sunday. Bradley’s birdie putt on the par-4 17th, which he called “one of the best holes of my life,” gave him a two-stroke lead heading to No. 18.
A tap-in par at the final hole led to a release of emotions for the 36-year-old Bradley, who fought back tears as he raised his arms in triumph.
“It’s why I practice so hard,” Bradley said. “… This is so special. I played in the final group here when Tiger Woods won (in 2019). I’m so proud to win this tournament.”
Fowler (70 on Sunday) and Putnam (68) both birdied the par-5 18th to share second place at 14-under. Emiliano Grillo of Argentina fired the low round of the day with a 6-under 64 to finish fourth at 13-under.
Hayden Buckley (68), Sahith Theegala (67) and Norway’s Viktor Hovland (69) were another shot back, tied for fifth.
While Bradley’s winless drought ended, the wait goes on for Fowler. Still looking for his first trophy since the 2019 Phoenix Open, Fowler balanced two bogeys with two birdies on Sunday. It was his 15th runner-up finish in 299 PGA Tour starts.
Xander Schauffele, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games gold medalist, tied for ninth at 10-under in his season debut.
Defending champion Hideki Matsyuama tied for 40th in his attempt to become the event’s first multiple winner.
–Field Level Media
