Keegan Bradley Coming Back to MA For Deutsche Bank Championship

It was supposed to be defending champion Webb Simpson who was going to face the media during the Deutsche Bank Championship’s Media Day, but the birth of a child has a way of changing things. Instead, there was a local flavor to the event as 2011 PGA Rookie of the Year and graduate Keegan Bradley stepped in to take Simpson’s place.

As Bradley talked to members of the media Monday morning, it was still evident that TPC Boston is somewhat of a home course for the Vermont native who then moved to Hopkinton. With the golf season nearing the final stretch, Bradley sees this as a chance to get some great golf in with many tournaments to go.

“I look forward to the end of the year a lot because of the Deutsche Bank and the playoffs and there is one more major left so there’s a lot of great tournaments still to play,” Bradley said.

A fan favorite at the tournament, the reaction can only get bigger when Bradley comes to Norton for the Labor Day tradition. As the , Bradley already had the hometown fans on his side but he’s hoping their support can help start a rally perhaps for a win.

“I was blown away with how I was treated last year at the Deutsche Bank and I hope it’s going to be like that again,” Bradley said. “It would be so great to get it going in front of Boston fans because unlike any tournament I’ve played in they were extremely behind me and it felt really good to have that.”

The reaction surprised Bradley as the fans were behind him the whole way, starting literally when he stepped on the golf course for the first time.

“Last year when I got to that first tee and the crowd started cheering for me before they announced my name, it was unbelievable so I expect it to be pretty exciting again this year and I’ve got confidence that I’m going to play well because I love that golf course,” Bradley said.

A win would be quite helpful for Bradley who is on the bubble for a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team. With eight spots available, Bradley currently sits in ninth place behind Hunter Mahan. A good showing in Norton would cut the gap between playing for Team USA and sitting at home.

“I’m trying not to think about it, but it’s definitely on my mind at all times. It’s difficult because I just missed out on the President’s Cup last year so I really want this pretty bad,” Bradley said. “I know if I have a decent end of the year I’ll be on that team.”

Quickly becoming the thing to do in the area on Labor Day, thousands of golf fans head down to TPC Boston in Norton to see some of the best golfers in the world. If last year showed anything, it may be the local former state champion golfer from Hopkinton that steals the show when the first round starts on Aug. 31.