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Keegan Bradley faces increasing Ryder Cup headache on special Bethpage anniversary
United States captain can seal a second Travalers win and edge close to making his own team
Keegan Bradley could celebrate his Ryder Cup anniversary in stunning style and land himself the biggest Bethpage headache of the lot.
The United States captain is bang in the mix to win the Travelers Championship for a second time going into the final round at TPC River Highlands.
Bradley won his local tournament in Hartford two years ago and, 12 months on from taking the call from the PGA of America to offer the Ryder Cup role, he can double up in Connecticut.
If he does, however, win the Signature Event for a second time, he will sweep closer to the automatic qualification spots and the calls for him to play alongside the likes of World No.1 Scottie Scheffler in New York against Rory McIlroy -led Europe and not just be skipper would reach a fever-pitched crescendo.
Bradley is fully aware of the background noise accompanying the constant 'USA, USA' chanting which he is getting at the Travelers and every week since he was announced the captain and realises he is on the brink of something extremely rare.
After a terrific third-round show which left him just three behind Tommy Fleetwood, he said: 'Yeah, pretty strange. I sort of have come to this epiphany sort of that no one has ever experienced what I'm going through right now.
"Arnold Palmer did in 1962 I think it was, but for the most part captains are done playing or at the end of their career or playing the Champions Tour. So it's pretty cool, I'm experiencing something that not a lot of people have.
'I try to enjoy the moments more, look around a little more, look in the crowd. It's funny, I try so hard to not think about playing, but they remind me every hole.
"Tomorrow [Sunday] is the year anniversary of getting the call for the Ryder Cup, so pretty crazy that we're a year out, but special day, could be even better.'
Bradley's 63 on Saturday was an impressive as any of the Americans looking to make his side and a seventh PGA Tour title is within reach.
He added: 'It took me awhile to figure out how to play here in my home event and pressing and trying so hard. Now it's just about my 15th time and much more ready for the challenge, I guess you could say.
"Today was just one of those days when everything feels great. I hit the ball good, putted great, felt comfortable all day, which is rare. I felt really, really great.
'Friday, I was uncomfortable on every shot I hit. I don't know why. Even just like easy shots, easy chips, easy putts. Then today I felt really comfortable on every shot. That doesn't happen often. Three back, which is a fun spot to be in. I'm going to have to go out and shoot a low score, but you can do it around here. Just hit the ball in the fairway, take care of the par-fives and you can do it.
'When you play a course you got to make birdies it brings a different challenge. You can't have a stretch of one-over par for seven holes or you lose a million shots.
"So in some aspects it's difficult just like a hard course would be. I've got to go out there and get off to a good start, so sometimes that can be difficult. You just got to be patient and there's birdies out there. You've got to make them.'
