HSBC Champions first round leader Keegan Bradley says he can't quite believe what's happened to him this year.
HSBC Champions first round leader Keegan Bradley says he can't quite believe what's happened to him this year.
The American carded an opening seven-under-par 65 in Shanghai on Thursday to add another chapter to his amazing 2011 success story.
A graduate of the Nationwide Tour, Bradley won the Byron Nelson Championship in May before shocking the golf world by capturing the USPGA Championship in Atlanta on his first ever start in a major. Most recently he beat the season's other major winners to lift the PGA Grand Slam last month.
After his commanding start at the Sheshan International Golf Club, Bradley said: "A year ago this week, I had just got my PGA Tour card from Daniel Island. It was probably the happiest, most fun week of my entire life. It was the realisation of a dream."
A year on and Bradley still hasn't woken up.
Pretty remarkable
"I feel like I have to pinch myself out here, because of what's going on and just how much fun I'm having doing it. And to think a year ago, I would be sitting here, taking the lead is pretty remarkable," added Bradley.
Playing alongside England's Lee Westwood and Australian Adam Scott, Bradley marked his flawless card with five birdies and an eagle to upstage his illustrious playing partners.
"I'm amazed at who I'm around. And to be in a group like that in this tournament and to play like that on this course, is very rewarding and it means a lot to me," said Bradley.
"I'm just very proud of the way I played, and it's just a very rewarding round," added the American.
Bradley is in the running for the coveted PGA Tour Player of the Year award along with Luke Donald and Webb Simpson, but he insisted he was focused only on winning this week.
"All I'm trying to do is win this tournament," he said. "I know there's a lot on the line, and there's some awards to be won, but I hope to keep playing well and those fall where they fall."
