Keegan Reflects on His Golfing Year

Keegan Bradley is now a respected major champion but this time last year he was battling to retain his US Tour card.

This week he is back where his dramatic rise all began, at the Byron Nelson Championship in Texas.

"I went from an unknown rookie trying to keep his card to winning a PGA Tour event and locking up my future a little bit," said the 25-year-old as he reflected on his play-off victory over Ryan Palmer at Las Colinas 12 months ago.

"This tournament might have set up my whole career. People don't realise what the stress level is of a rookie on the PGA Tour, trying to keep your card.

"I played on the Hooters Tour and thinking about going back is scary. And to know I was on the (PGA) tour for at least two-and-a-half more years was huge."

Bradley's career then took a monumental leap when, playing in his very first major, he captured the USPGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club.

"At the PGA I didn't have that pressure of having to win my first tournament or having to worry about making enough money to keep my card, stuff like that, where rookies have to think about that," said the 25-year-old.

Can't believe it

"Sometimes I will be sitting around and I will realise that I won the PGA and start laughing, by myself, like I can't believe it.

"It seriously happens all the time. I keep the trophy on my mantle(piece) in front of my TV in my room, and I'll just be watching TV and I'll look over at it and start laughing, because it seems so bizarre that's the trophy, it's in my room.

"Definitely sometimes I have to ask myself, 'Is this really real?'.

"But I've been wanting to do that my whole life, and it's cool to be living it. But I have so much further to go, and that's what I'm happy about. I want to be out here for a long time and be one of the best players, so I have a lot to work for."

Bradley's recent form hasn't been great but he's relishing the return to TPC Las Colinas.

"I go into it knowing that I love this course, it suits my eye well," he said. "I'm looking to win tournaments, so this is a great opportunity for me to contend this week."

One likely challenger is Matt Kuchar, coming off his victory at the Players Championship, golf's richest event, at Sawgrass on Sunday.

Kuchar, 33, shot up 11 places to fifth in the world rankings on Monday and has not discounted a charge to number one.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy holds the top spot ahead of England's Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, followed by Americans Bubba Watson and Kuchar.

Exciting time

"I think it's an exciting time in the game of golf right now in that there is the possibility to become that number one player in the world," Kuchar said.

"For a long time it seemed like Tiger Woods had a stronghold on the position and that number two was the thing you had to play for.

"Even if Tiger Woods took a year off, it seemed like he would still hold that position. So it's exciting to have movement at that number one shot, to have a shot at being the best.

"I think it's one of the things we all strive for, to be the best of the best, to actually be number one in the world would be an honour."

Kuchar heads out in a group with Vijay Singh and Padraig Harrington, while Bradley plays alongside Rory Sabbatini and Jason Day.

The world's top four are absent, as is Woods, but there is plenty of big-name appeal, not least in the group consisting of Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Ernie Els.

Walton Plays Senior PGA Championship

Bernhard Langer recovered from 2011 thumb surgery and making his impact felt again in senior golf and heads a list of 36 international players, representing 18 countries, in the 73rd Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, from May 24 - 27 at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Begun in 1937, the Senior PGA Championship has featured six international Champions combining for nine titles. Denis Watson, a native of Zimbabwe, who triumphed in 2007, was the last international-born Champion of the most historic and prestigious event in senior golf.

Langer, 54, missed the Senior PGA Championship a year ago after a freak left-thumb injury suffered in an off-season biking accident. That mishap delayed his return to play until mid-June.

Prior to the injury, Langer had finished among the top 25 in three consecutive Senior PGA Championships, including a runner-up finish in 2008. This year, he has posted six top-10 finishes, including two runner-up and one third-place performance.

The 2012 Senior PGA Championship international roster includes England's Gary Wolstenholme, winner of last week's Mallorca Senior Open, the season-opening event on the European Senior Tour. He will make his second Championship appearance. England's Paul Wesselingh, who makes his debut in the Senior PGA Championship, is a former club professional and a six-time PGA Cup standout. He shared runner-up honors in Mallorca in his European Senior Tour debut.

The complete international roster competing at the 73rd Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid: Gordon Brand Jr. (Scotland); Roger Chapman (England); Trevor Dodds (Namibia); Marc Farry (France); Peter Fowler (Australia); Angel Franco (Paraguay); David Frost (South Africa); Michael Harwood (Australia); Mark James (England); Jong-Duck Kim (South Korea); Barry Lane (England); Bernhard Langer (Germany); Chien-Soon Lu (Taiwan); Sandy Lyle (Scotland); Graham Marsh (Australia); Miguel Angel Martin (Spain); Mark McNulty (Zimbabwe); Francisco Minoza (Philippines); Mark Mouland (England); Kiyoshi Murota (Japan); Andrew Oldcorn (Scotland); Juan Quiros (Spain); Eduardo Romero (Argentina); Boonchu Ruangkit (Thailand); David Russell (Scotland); Jim Rutledge (Canada); Peter Seniors (Australia); Nobuo Serizawa (Japan); Andrew Sherborne (England); Ikuo Shirahama (Japan); Rod Spittle (Canada); Philip Walton (Ireland); Denis Watson (Zimbabwe); Paul Wesselingh (England); Christopher Williams (South Africa); and Gary Wolstenholme (England).

Past international Senior PGA Champions include: Jock Hutchison (Scotland), 1937, '47; Fred McLeod (Scotland), 1938; Roberto De Vicenzo (Argentina), 1974; Peter Thomson (Australia), 1984; Gary Player (South Africa) 1986, '88, '90; Denis Watson (Zimbabwe), 2007.

The 73rd Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid welcomes back defending Champion Tom Watson, who also captured the Alfred S. Bourne Trophy in 2001. He is joined by seven other past Champions: Michael Allen (2009); Jay Haas (2006, '08), Denis Watson; Mike Reid (2005); Hale Irwin (1996, '97, '98, 2004); Tom Lehman (2010); and Tom Wargo (1993).

Joining Watson are seven other past Senior PGA Champions: Tom Lehman (2010), Michael Allen (2009), Jay Haas (2006, '08), Denis Watson (2007), Mike Reid (2005), Hale Irwin (1996, '97, '98, 2004), and Tom Wargo (1993).

The Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid is the oldest event on the Champions Tour, originating in 1937 at Augusta National Golf Club at the invitation of the legendary amateur Bobby Jones. 

Moy Park Agree Two Year Open Deal

Nigel Dunlop, Moy Park CEO, First Minister Peter Robinson and Tony O'Neill, Moy Park Director 

Moy Park, Northern Ireland’s largest food company has secured a two year sponsorship deal with the European Tour to support the 2012 Irish Open at Royal Portrush and the 2013 Irish Open at Carton House, Kildare.

The company, which is Northern Ireland’s biggest employer, is the latest to add its support to the tournament which kicks off in just over a month.

Nigel Dunlop, Moy Park CEO, commented: “Moy Park has signed up for a two year sponsorship deal which will see us support this year’s iconic event at Royal Portrush and next year’s event in Kildare. The Moy Park brand is now Ireland’s number one poultry brand and we are one of the largest companies in Northern Ireland, so we felt it was important to lend our support to such a prestigious event.

“The Irish Open will attract thousands of visitors to Northern Ireland and will provide an opportunity for us to showcase not only our world-class hospitality but also our fantastic local produce.”

James Finnigan of The European Tour, Commercial Director for the Irish Open, said: “ As Ireland’s National Open Championship and the only European Tour event taking place in Ireland in 2012, the tournament is not only the highlight of the golf calendar in Ireland but one of the most prominent events in the Irish sporting calendar. We welcome a company of Moy Park’s stature as an Official Sponsor of the Irish Open and are extremely pleased that they have pledged their support not just for this year’s event but also for the 2013 Irish Open at Carton House.”

Welcoming the announcement, Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said: “This is a further boost for this year’s Irish Open, which already looks like being one of the most successful in recent times. I commend Moy Park on their decision to take this opportunity to showcase their brand and their range of products to a world-wide audience.

“The Northern Ireland Executive is committed to ensuring that the Irish Open at Portrush will be a success. Hosting this important tournament will give a great boost to the Northern Ireland economy along with the tourism sector and we aim to use it to encourage potential investors to consider Northern Ireland as an investment location.”

Irish Open Gets Tasty Dale Farm Deal

Brian Beattie with James Finnigan

Leading local dairy business Dale Farm is ‘teed up’ and ready for this year’s Irish Open, having agreed a major sponsorship deal for the tournament next month at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

As well as throwing significant sponsorship behind the Irish Open, the company will be the Official Supplier of Ice Cream and Dairy Products at Royal Portrush throughout its duration.

Brian Beattie, Head of Marketing for Dale Farm, said: “With the tournament returning to Northern Ireland this summer for the first time in almost 50 years and the quality of local golfing talent at an all-time high, Dale Farm is delighted to put our brand name to this year’s Irish Open, which will draw interest from right across the globe. The event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our range of dairy products, made using the finest Northern Irish milk.

“Dale Farm backs local sport on many levels – from official dairy supplier to the Ulster Rugby team, to our Sports bursary awards for up and coming athletic and sports talent, to our grass roots school sports day initiative. We are very proud to add golf, and particularly the prestigious Irish Open, to our sponsorship portfolio.”

James Finnigan, Commercial Director for the Irish Open, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dale Farm as an Official Sponsor of the Irish Open. The welcome and interest from the Northern Irish community to the Irish Open has been exceptional and now the addition of one of UK’s leading dairy processing companies is a significant boost to the Irish Open. We believe the Irish Open offers Dale Farm an outstanding platform on which to promote their world-class range of products.”

McGinley Hails BMW for Irish Open

Paul McGinley, the three-time Ryder Cup winner from Dublin, hailed the new agreement between BMW and the Irish Open which confirms BMW’s status as Official Car to the event for the next three years.

The 2012 Irish Open will be played in Northern Ireland for the first time in almost 60 years when the iconic links of Royal Portrush hosts a tournament which includes several Major winners, most notably the current Open and US Open Champions, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy.

McGinley, who visited Royal Portrush to help conclude the three-year agreement with Robert Frame, Business Development Manager of BMW in Northern Ireland, recalled some of his favourite memories of the world-famous course close to the Giant’s Causeway.

The 45 year old, who sank the winning putt in the2002 Ryder Cup at The Belfry, said: “I always loved coming here for the North of Ireland Championship as an amateur, although I didn’t quite manage to take away the silverware. I played in the final twice and lost to Darren Clarke and Garth McGimpsey.”

McGinley is thrilled that the Irish Open is being played at Royal Portrush, and he added: “It’s long overdue a return to Northern Ireland and it is massive news for the golfing public in the North, who can now enjoy the spectacle of watching Darren, Rory and Graeme (McDowell) on their home turf for the first time.

“The fact that the Irish Open is being played in Northern Ireland next month is a wonderful testament to the achievements of those three in recent years. Their successes will have a special resonance with the public and I think it’s safe to say that their reaction will emphasise that.”

Peter Walker, General Manager, Sports Marketing, BMW (UK Ltd), said: “BMW is delighted to extend its association with the Irish Open for a further three years. We are all excited at the prospect of the event being played at such a spectacular course and in front of some of the largest and most knowledgeable crowds in golf.

“As well as the Irish Open, BMW’s long-term commitment to The European Tour can be seen by its title sponsorship of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, the BMW International Open in Germany and the recently announced BMW Masters in China. In addition, the company also supports 20 tournaments globally with ‘Official Car’ partnerships and was an Official Partner of The 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort.”

James Finnigan, Commercial Director of the Irish Open, commented: “BMW is an outstanding long-term Partner of The European Tour in general and the Irish Open in particular. We are delighted to be able to extend our arrangement with BMW through until 2014 and to know that the players, officials and VIPs will have the best possible service during the tournament.”

PHOTO: Robert Frame, Business Development Manager of BMW in Northern Ireland, with three-time Ryder Cup winner Paul McGinley (Photo: EuropeanTour)