John Huggan: Eye Spy

Ok, so he wields one of those awful belly putters, sticking the extended shaft into his midriff at a point not unadjacent to his navel. And there was that mildly nauseating expectorating episode earlier this year at what was once called the LA Open. His pace of play (not quick) could use some work, too. But, all in all, there is much to admire in the likeable character and strong game of the current USPGA champion, Keegan Bradley.

For one thing, the 25-year-old Vermont native is the first Grand Slam title-holder to have an auntie Pat already in the World Golf Hall of Fame. For another, he won the first major he ever qualified for, in a play-off that came only three holes after he made what appeared to be a disastrous and dream-ending triple-bogey six. So there can be no doubt about the man’s ability to cope with even the most sickening versions of golfing adversity. And, for one more, Bradley handled his outrageous exclusion from last year’s US Presidents Cup team (in a shameless display of nepotism, skipper Fred Couples went with Bill Haas, the son of his vice-captain, instead) with an equanimity and grace many more experienced figures would have been hard pushed to match.

And now – well, late next month to be precise – Bradley is headed to Ulster and his European Tour debut, at the Irish Open over the magnificent links of Royal Portrush.

“I’m really proud of my Irish heritage,” says Bradley, one of America’s more avid Boston Red Sox fans. “My great-grandparents came over and my grandmother remains basically Irish. So this was an opportunity I wanted to take. It was my decision, no one else’s. I have a good relationship with [Portrush native] Graeme McDowell and he encouraged me once I told him I was keen to go. He certainly sold me on the course and gave me some advice on where to go and where not to go.”

It won’t be Bradley’s first visit to the British Isles, though. He visited the auld sod when he was seven and, in 2000, he was part of the family support unit auntie Pat brought to Loch Lomond when the six-times major champion (beat that Keegan) was non-playing captain of the US Solheim Cup team. On that trip, the then 14-year-old nephew did play, at Turnberry, an introduction to links golf he remembers with an obvious fondness.

“I loved the links golf,” he enthuses. “I can’t wait to go back and enjoy the country and the people. It’s a very different type of golf over there, a style of play I don’t have much experience of. But I enjoy it when the bounce and roll of the ball becomes part of the shot. Plus, the Irish Open will be great preparation for the British Open. I’m not sure about the Scottish Open yet, but everything I hear about Castle Stuart is positive, so that may happen, too.”

In the meantime, Bradley is focused on other things, most notably making the US Ryder Cup side that will attempt to wrest the trophy back from the Old World at Medinah this September. Having suffered so cruelly at the hands and mind of the easily swayed Couples last year, you get the feeling the Rookie of the Year for 2011 has something of a point to prove.

“Playing in the Ryder Cup would be huge for me,” he reveals. “I felt like I was so close to the Presidents Cup team last year. That was a big disappointment, especially as I felt like I deserved to be on the team. So it would be great to bounce back and be part of that event. I don’t have much matchplay experience, just a little bit in amateur golf and this year at the Accenture Match Play. But I love it. It’s fun and a great change. I seem to play well in it too.”

It is, however, for that unfortunate spitting incident that Bradley is perhaps best known in these parts. In what was an extraordinary and lengthy display of saliva-production, the still inexperienced New Englander spat his way round storied Riviera, a feat that produced an outcry of epic proportions on this side of the Atlantic.

“I was a bit surprised at the extent of the reaction across the pond,” he says. “But I kind of agree. It’s not a good thing to be doing anywhere. I didn’t really realise I was doing it, certainly not to the extent that I was. So it was a good thing it happened, one I’ve been able to nip quickly.

“It’s a baseball thing over here. We grow up seeing those guys spitting all the time. So it isn’t such a big deal in the States. But, as I said, I understand the view that it isn’t great to see or do on the golf course. A lot of the guys on tour were telling me not to worry about it. ‘You’re outside and you can do whatever you want,’ they said. But I still think I’ve done the right thing in stopping.

“I knew it was a serious thing because of the reaction I got in the media and on Twitter. So I knew it wasn’t something to mess around with. I talked with some people who are important to me. I talked to Phil [Mickelson]. And I just decided to stop. Which I have. It’s been easier than I thought, to be honest. I had a week off after LA and I made myself not spit at all. So that was good training.”

Disappointingly for many traditionalists, Bradley is less repentant when the subject at hand switches to what used to be referred to as the “shortest club in the bag”.

“I was surprised that my using a belly putter became an issue so suddenly,” he reflects. “Before I won the PGA, no one mentioned it. Not ever. But I got a lot of flak over it. Not that I’m bothered. I’m going to keep using it because I like it. I’ve putted with a short putter but I like this better. And I’m very happy that I’m the first one to win a major using one. Even if some people do have a problem with it.

“I’m glad I don’t have to make decisions like that. I’ll let the USGA and the R&A decide. So if they say they are illegal I’ll stop using it. But, for now, they are legal so I’m going to continue. I love using the belly putter.”

Still, if you think Bradley’s putter is odd, what about his extraordinary habit of tilting his head to the side when reading putts?

“My putting routine is just something I’ve always done,” he says with a smile. “It helps me read the green with my dominant eye. A lot of people are intrigued by it. And I get some comments on Twitter about it. But it’s just the way I putt. It helps me get a better angle and feel for the line. It’s hard to explain but it works for me.” Clearly.

Keep an eye – dominant or otherwise – on this impressive young man.