It is redemption night for Keegan Bradley to show everyone who ever cast a shadow of doubt when he was made the American Ryder Cup captain. The 38-year-old took the solo clubhouse lead after finishing 2 under 70 on Saturday at the high-altitude Castle Pines Golf Club and mesmerized the crowd with his exceptional performance. Going into the final round of the BMW Championship, it would be the first time for Bradley in the 2024 season and the first victory in a year.

But winning on Sunday at the Denver greens might not be as easy because his European counterpart, Ludvig Aberg, has been chasing him with just a two-stroke deficit at 3rd on the leaderboard. And with their unexpected rivalry, Bradley has given the fans a Ryder Cup feel a year before it starts. When the 2025 Bethpage captain drained his last birdie of the third day, the crowd was in a different mood, as if they were watching Team USA vs Team Europe in the Sunday Singles.

Just as the ball made it into the hole, Bradley clinched his fist, while the crowd at Castle Pines clapped, roared and the chants of “USA, USA, USA” took over the area. On the other hand, his nemesis for the day, Aberg, shot 1 under 71, which started with a 53-foot birdie on the par-5 first hole while he wiped away his nosebleed and laughed off. And he even got the crowd to cheer for him.

Aberg and Bradley are in neck-to-neck competition with Adam Scott, who is also in the middle at second. Only 18 holes are left to decide the winner of the BMW Championship before the commencement of the TOUR Championship in East Lake. It remains to be seen who will take the crown between the three. But Keegan Bradley needs it the most.

Why does Keegan Bradley need to win the BMW Championship?

As of August 25, Keegan Bradley stands at 50th on the FedExCup Standings and has nineteen players ahead of him in the race to make it to East Lake. Notably, Bradley’s season has been ordinary, with only two top-10 finishes and thus, he was at risk of missing out on the top 30 field of the TOUR Championship next week.

But with a victory secured at the Castle Pines Golf Club, Bradley will be fourth on the FedExCup Standings, jumping 46 steps and having a better advantage when playing the season ending event. How? Well, there will be the momentum that will catapult the 6-time PGA Tour winner to play better East Lake and then there will be the format of the TOUR Championship, which will keep him ahead of many in the field.

If the 38-year-old does win the BMW Championship and takes a 4th position on FedExCup Standings, according to the format, Bradley will start 8 under at the TOUR Championship and have a better chance to win the $25 million winner’s payout. It will be his second BMW Championship victory and first-ever TOUR Championship trophy after being a pro for more than two decades. Keegan Bradley will surely hope that he capitalizes on the Sunday round and sends a wave of cheer to the dominating USA crowd.