After the Ryder Cup went awry for Keegan Bradley, a $2.1 million payday at the Skins Game on Friday was a welcome consolation prize.
Bradley earned 11 skins and topped Tommy Fleetwood of England, Shane Lowry of Ireland and Xander Schauffele in the 16-hole battle at Panther National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., while playing in the first Skins Game in nearly two decades.
As captain of the United States squad at the Ryder Cup in September, Bradley’s group got off to a brutal start and was upended by a Europe side that included Fleetwood and Lowry.
Bradley’s accomplishments on Friday included a whopping $900,000 with a birdie at No. 13, while also earning $375,000 at the fifth hole.
“Oh man, that felt good,” Bradley said on the Amazon Prime Video broadcast after winning $375,000 at No. 5 when Fleetwood missed a 10-foot putt. “I need as much revenge against Tommy and Shane as I can get. That’s a start.”
Skins grew in value as the round progressed. The first five holes each were worth $100,000, while Nos. 6-9 were worth $200,000 and Nos. 10-13 went up to $300,000 each. The final three holes went up in value from $400,000 to $500,000 and $600,000.
Fleetwood ended up winning $1.7 million while earning four skins, including a record $1.125 million at the final hole. Lowry’s one skin was worth $200,000 while Schauffele was shut out. Lowry filled in for Justin Thomas, who bowed out with a back injury.
Each player had $1 million to their credit when the match started and won or lost money as the round progressed.
It was the first official Skins game since 2008 in an event that goes back to 1983.
