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Bradley Wins In Puerto Rico

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The Associated Press

Published: March 16, 2009

RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico - Michael Bradley of Valrico raised his fist in triumph - and relief - after sinking a putt that gave him his first PGA Tour victory in 11 years.

"I'm almost 43, and you don't know really how many opportunities you're going to have," he said. "I'm not Tiger Woods. So when I do have an opportunity, come a Sunday, that maybe have a chance to win, it's probably a little more special."

Bradley (70 Sunday) won the Puerto Rico Open by one stroke Sunday, sinking an 11-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole.

Bradley, who is scheduled to play in the Transitions Championship from Thursday to Sunday in Palm Harbor, finished at 14-under 274 to outlast Jason Day (71) and Brett Quigley (67) at Trump International Golf Club, a palm-fringed 7,526-yard course which was buffeted by tricky winds throughout the four-day competition.

"I didn't know how I would react being in the final group; it's been so long since I've been there," he said. "And you know, my short game was good this week. It cured some ills that I had, some off the tee and some iron play, so I have to credit winning this to chipping and putting."

Bradley hit his winning putt at a perfect speed after drastically misreading an eagle effort moments before. His playing partner, Day, had a chance to force a playoff with a birdie, but the 21-year-old Australian missed a 7-footer.
Bart Bryant (68) and Greg Chalmers (68) - who wowed the gallery with a hole-in-one on the 202-yard 16th hole - finished another shot behind to tie for fourth at 12-under 276.

As the tropical sun started to dip behind the clouds, Bradley was presented with a trophy and a check for $630,000 for the victory. It also earned the 42-year-old a spot in the 2009 PGA Championship and the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Bradley, who last year made more cuts and starts on the PGA Tour than at any time since his 2000 season, said he was thrilled to hold back a field of challengers.

CHAMPIONS: Dan Forsman won the AT&T Champions Classic for his first victory in 12 Champions Tour stars, overcoming a five-stroke deficit in regulation and beating Don Pooley with a birdie on the first extra hole. Forsman (66) and Pooley (70) were at 11-under 205 after regulation.

NEW ZEALAND OPEN: American Alex Prugh (64-269) won for his first Nationwide Tour title, pulling away with his second eagle of the round and finishing three strokes ahead of Martin Piller (68).

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