2011 PGA Playoff: Keegan Bradley Holds off Jason Dufner, Never Say Never

A triple bogey on the 15th hole may have dashed his score, but Keegan Bradley did not allow it to defeat him.

Bradley used it as motivation, playing the next three regulation holes of the Atlanta Athletic Club at two-under-par.

However, he needed some help. And Jason Dufner provided just that. Dufner dunked one on the 15th, looking unaffected—as if he knew he had strokes to give. Of course, it was the same look all tournament.

However, Dufner's nerves were churning on the inside. He followed up with two more bogeys, including blowing by a birdie putt on the 17th green, causing a bogey.

Bradley stood on the 18th green, knowing that if he holed his putt, it would be all over. However, the putt wasn't meant to be. It was two inches low, and Dufner had his opening. Dufner made par, and it was time to close the books on regulation play.

With all the scores signed, it was Dufner who faltered after putting on the pressure. Missing a downhill five-foot slider, Bradley capitalized, making birdie and taking a one-stroke edge.

Hole 17 yielded the same result for Bradley—another stroke up after a Dufner three putt.

And on 18, it was Bradley who laid off while Dufner had to put his foot on the accelerator. However, Bradley decided to amp it up, and went at the green instead of going for a layup. Eighteen feet away, Bradley made it look easy, two putting to take a one-stroke victory over Jason Dufner.

What does the win mean for Bradley? It thrusts this rookie to the forefront of the future for American golf. Unlike Rickie Fowler, Bradley has coasted under the radar of the media.

The lights will now be shining on him. The media will dog him to bring America another Phil Mickelson—or even better.

No matter how you hash it, Keegan Bradley showed every young golfer that you can never let a big score get you down. You have to dig deep and find it in you to fight on.

Of any Major champion this year, Keegan Bradley's comeback eclipses the headlines that Schwartzel and Clarke commanded, and should at least tie Rory McIlroy's dominance.

It wasn't a dominant win, there was a little bit of a choke on Dufner, but a triple bogey followed by birdie, birdie, par to force a playoff is one of the most remarkable stories of the year.

Congratulations to Keegan Bradley for a brilliant win. He's earned it, and has sealed off PGA Tour Rookie of the Year from anyone else. If there's any young gun to watch, it could be the kid who now has his name on the Wannamaker trophy.