Magnificent Keegan Bradley takes team USA to pole position after day one
It was a Keegan Bradley show at the Medinah Golf and Country Club on Friday. It was Even Steven when the four balls started on Friday.
The rookie Bradley had already put up a brilliant display when he and Phil Mickelson teamed up to defeat the European back bone of Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald.
In the foursomes, they faced the deadly Irish duo of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. The pair had already tasted success in the morning when they edged out rookie, Brandt Snedeker and Jim Furyk.
The rookie was unfazed by the challenge that lay ahead. He was very confident after his foursome match.
The Americans took an early lead when Bradley birdied the first hole. Mickelson then came up with a birdie on the second.
On the third hole, Keegan showed the metal he is made of. On the green, he just walked up to the ball and sank in the putt, without even analyzing the green.
Europeans pulled one back on the sixth hole when Rory McIlroy secured the par for his team. However, the Americans were in no mood to give the Irish duo even a sniff at the victory. They won the next two holes to go 4up.
There was no way back after that, even though the Europeans pulled one back at the ninth and fourteenth but it was too much to ask for.
The shot of the day was from the Lefty, a 7-iron shot on the seventh, ensured that team USA scored a birdie to finish the match.
Three birdies from the rookie were absolutely vital for the Americans. Bradley showed no sign of nerves and he had the best start a rookie could ask for.
The rookies are doing well for the Americans - Webb Simpson also won his four ball.
"Phil stepped up there, and without a doubt in my mind, it's the greatest shot I've ever seen," Bradley said. Mickelson was full of praise for Keegan. The rookie has surprised everybody with his performance.
"He's just played so good all day, and it's just kept me up the whole time," Mickelson said. "It's been awesome".
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