World Golf Hall of Famer Pat Bradley won 31 LPGA Tour events and six majors throughout her historic career.
Only one of those was a U.S. Women’s Open, arguably women’s golf’s preeminent event - and it came in the Chicago District.
The Massachusetts native was was in the early stages of her professional golf career when she visited La Grange Country Club in 1981 for the Open. She trailed by three strokes entering the final round before a sizzling 6-under 66 left her atop the leaderboard by one stroke. It would be the only U.S. Women’s Open title of her career.
Last month, Bradley visited the club for the second time since her victory and sat down with CDGATV for an exclusive conversation.
“It brings back so many great memories,” Bradley said of being back at La Grange. “Winning that Open in 1981 was one of the highlights of my career.”
A popular topic of conversation between Bradley and the La Grange members was her nephew Keegan, who is set to captain the United States Ryder Cup team later this month at Bethpage Black. Bradley says Keegan’s fervor for international competition dates back to attending the 1999 Ryder Cup at The Country Club in Brookline and accompanying her inside the ropes when she was Solheim Cup captain in 2000.
“I distinctly remember him watching that Ryder Cup and saying to his dad, ‘I want to be on a Ryder Cup,’” Bradley recalled. “That was his focus. His whole mindset changed.”
To hear from Bradley, click the video below:
