Bradley cashes in at Grand Slam as McIlroy falters
NORTHERN IRELAND’S Rory McIlroy failed to cap his breakthrough year with victory in the 36-hole PGA Grand Slam after America’s Keegan Bradley prevailed by a single shot in Bermuda.
The second day of the event contested by the four winners the year’s Majors began with Bradley and US Open champion McIlroy tied on four under.
But McIlroy fell away with three consecutive bogeys from the seventh and finished third at level par after a disappointing 75.
Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, four behind overnight, birdied five holes in a row in a fine 65 to seal second, but McIlroy’s compatriot, Open champion Darren Clarke, was nine over after a 74.
McIlroy failed to pick up a single shot on day two but found himself three clear after six opening pars, with Bradley dropping three strokes early on.
By the turn Schwartzel had emerged as Bradley’s main rival, after the South African holed from the bunker at the ninth to record his fifth successive birdie.
However, Bradley, 22, recently overlooked for Presidents Cup selection, opened up a one-shot lead at the 10th following a superb up and down from the sand for a birdie to claim the $600,000 prize.