Bradley relishing hometown opportunity, sits two shots back at Travelers Championship

CROMWELL, Conn. – Keegan Bradley's age and experience have increased exponentially, but his gallery of family, friends and loyalists? That has remained steadily large on these visits to his native New England.

The key, he said, “is that my family and friends do a good job of knowing how to give me space.”

Related: Leaderboard | Sucher's incredible journey has him leading the Travelers | Young players gaining valuable TOUR experience

Knowing Bradley’s competitive nature and how the PGA TOUR tournaments in New England mean so much to the Vermont native, it’s easy to understand the self-applied pressure. It starts with just making the cut, and in that department, Bradley has shined – he’s a perfect nine-for-nine at this week’s Travelers Championship and six-for-seven at TPC Boston, which will return to host THE NORTHERN TRUST in 2020.

He just has not been able to pull off any weekend magic and win, something Bradley acknowledges with a nod and a smile. Citing his ninth year on the PGA TOUR, he laughed. “For the first time in my career, I don’t feel like one of the younger guys out here,” said the 33-year-old.

That, he suggests, is a good thing, because what comes experience is a comfort level that is a product of four PGA TOUR wins and those failures that often teach you more.

“I feel I’m in position to put my experience to good use.”

The news that he is embracing: He’s in the best 36-hole position to make his dream come true at the Travelers. Having backed up an opening 5-under 65 with a 66, Bradley’s 9-under 131 is two better than his previous best 36-hole total here. His share of second place the best standing he has had halfway through, and being just two off Zack Sucher’s lead is the closest the native New Englander has been entering Round 3.

On all fronts, positive stuff for Bradley. But that age and experience stuff? It’s why he’s maintaining perspective and not getting ahead of himself.

“I feel very comfortable here,” said Bradley, whose bogey-free second round in wet, sloppy conditions featured a pair of 2s – one at the par-3 fifth, one at the par-4 15th. “It was raining, and I hit driver. It was 258 (yards) to the front and I hit it as hard as I could and it went about 250,” he laughed. He pitched in, then played his next 12 holes in 11 pars and a birdie.

He knows firepower sits on his tail – Paul Casey and Jason Day tied for sixth at 7-under – and that this tournament famously has featured sizzling finishes to allow horses like Bubba Watson to win. But Bradley is relishing his “hometown” opportunity.

“It’s awesome. I love playing here (and) in New England. Without (a stop in) Boston, this is our only shot at New England, so I’m loving every second of it.”