Story highlights
Keegan Bradley holds a two-shot lead after the first round of the Tour Championship
Jason Dufner, who lost to Bradley at the PGA Champioship, is tied for second
Luke Donald is also second, and on course to win the FedEx Cup series
World No. 1 would be the first man to top both PGA and European Tour money lists
Keegan Bradley is looking forward to another tussle with Jason Dufner at the lucrative Tour Championship this weekend in Atlanta, where he defeated his fellow American in a playoff to win his first major title.
The rookie is seeking to follow up his surprise success at the PGA Championship six weeks ago, and made the perfect start to the $10 million FedEx Cup series finale at East Lake by taking the first-round lead with a six-under-par 64 on Thursday.
Dufner was tied for second on 66 alongside compatriot Chez Reavie and England’s world number one Luke Donald.
“I don’t think there’s any big surprises. He likes this grass, too,” the 25-year-old Bradley said of Dufner in quotes reported by the PGA website.
“He likes these courses, and I hope I get to play with him tomorrow. I think that would be a lot of fun.”
Bradley is also hoping to earn a place on the U.S. team for the forthcoming Presidents Cup, with captain Fred Couples yet to make his final wildcard pick for the competition, which pits America against the International team.
“I really want to be on the team, but I want to earn my way onto the team, just like I’m going to have to,” he said.
“If the captain and assistant captains think I’ve done enough to get on the team, they’re going to pick me. And if they don’t, that’s totally fair too.”
Dufner allowed a five-shot lead over Bradley to slip away during their last battle at the Atlanta Athletic Club, but he will hope for better luck this time.
“Maybe he’s having some of the same feelings,” Dufner said. “He’s very comfortable on this type of golf course … with the conditions maybe a little more severe at Atlanta Athletic Club off the tee.
“But he’s having a good day. Hopefully, we’ll be paired tomorrow. That will be a little interesting, I guess. Maybe some thoughts here or there will come back and forth.”
Donald, fourth in the FedEx standings, is one of five players who can take home the biggest prize fund in golf with victory at East Lake.
‘At the BMW Championship last weekend, the previous round of the four-tournament series, Donald hit an opening 74 to take himself out of content, but he was pleased with a more positive start this time around.
“I wanted to get off to a faster start, put myself in a better position, and I’m glad I did that,” said the 33-year-old, who is trying to become the first player to top both the PGA and European Tour money lists.
Webb Simpson started the tournament top of the FedEx Cup standings, but was five shots of the pace after an opening round of 69.
Donald’s compatriot Justin Rose is another player who will clinch the bumper prize with victory this weekend, but the 31-year-old was tied with Simpson in 16th position.
The American duo of Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar, second and fifth in the standings respectively, are the other two players who have their destiny in their own hands.
Johnson, 27, shot an even-par 70 to sit tied for 19th place, while the 33-year-old Kuchar carded a 67 to leave himself three shots off the lead and still in contention for the overall prize.
