SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Keegan Bradley would love to think this is a good omen for his beloved Patriots.
Bradley — who shot a 6-under-par 65 to stand one shot behind leader Ryan Palmer after the opening-round lead of the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Thursday at the TPC of Scottsdale — would love to show the Patriots the way this week as they prepare to play the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday.
Bradley has a lot on his mind. Sure, he wants to win the tournament, but he desperately wants his favorite football team win its first Super Bowl since 2004.
Bradley got off to a great start Thursday.
Thoughts of winning this week are already creeping into Bradley’s mind — as are the logistics of getting himself to University of Phoenix Stadium in time for kickoff Sunday.
The tournament is scheduled to finish at about 4 p.m. local time, which is about 30 minutes before kickoff. Bradley, a Vermont native and St. John’s grad, has tickets to the game, and he said he plans to be there regardless of where he finishes in the tournament.
“I will do whatever it takes to get to that game,’’ Bradley said. “If I have to get in a car and go 150 miles an hour, I’m going to do it. I can’t be this close to a Super Bowl with the Patriots playing and not go. So I will be there at some point.’’
Golfers do not like to look ahead — it is one of the great no-nos of sports in general. So when asked, Bradley said he hasn’t formed a game plan for how to get to the stadium.
“Well, I haven’t gotten that far yet, but I’m going to go to the game. If I do end up winning the tournament, we will have to cut this media [session] off short because I have to get to the game.’’
Bradley said he’s “very up to date with what’s going on with’’ the Patriots.
“My first thing I do after I play is go on [the Internet], read anything about Deflategate or what’s up next,” he said. “ I’m so pumped. I never thought I’d get to go to a Super Bowl in my life, let alone go and watch the Patriots play and win one. It’s going to be a lot of fun.’’
For Bradley to have the true fun he wants in his career, he knows he must win more tournaments. His last win came at the 2012 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. He knows it’s time to win again, and he feels more equipped and ready this year, his fifth on the PGA Tour.
“I no longer feel as though I’m a rookie, I feel as though I belong out here,’’ Bradley said. “I’m in a different place now than I was even last year. I feel different just walking around, more comfortable, and I think that’s important. It’s a big adjustment to go from playing the Hooters Tour to a couple years later being out here. It’s a process. I finally feel as though I’m settling in.’’
Bradley called Thursday “a relief to go out and shoot a good number in the first round to hopefully get my season going.’’
And, he hopes, get his buddy Tom Brady and the Patriots revved up for their big game on Sunday.
Play was suspended by darkness at 5:45 p.m. local time with Palmer leading at 7-under, and Bradley and Bubba Watson at 6-under. Daniel Berger, a Web.com Tour graduate in his first year on the PGA Tour, is also 6-under, but he has two holes to complete his first round Friday morning when play resumes.
Phil Mickelson rallied from a 3-over start on the front nine to finish 2-under.