Bradley takes Travelers but McIlroy trending upwards

Keegan Bradley claimed his sixth PGA Tour title with a three-shot victory in the Travelers Championship in Connecticut.

Bradley took a one-shot lead into the final round at TPC River Highlands and was never in real danger of being caught after making five birdies in his first 12 holes.

The 2011 US PGA Championship winner gave the chasing pack a glimmer of hope with three bogeys in four holes from the 13th, but eventually signed for a closing 68 to finish 23 under par.

Fellow American Zac Blair surged through the field with a final round of 62 to finish 20 under par alongside Brian Harman, who returned a second consecutive 64.

"This is for all the kids that grew up in New England, who got to sit through the winters and watch other people play golf," said Bradley, who was born in Vermont, one of the six states which make up the New England region.

"I just am so proud to win this tournament. Travelers and everybody involved puts on a first-class tournament. It's been like this for a decade and I'm so happy to be the winner here.

"I'm so lucky and thankful to be from this New England area. I just can't believe it. This seems like a dream."

World number one Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay and Chez Reavie shared fourth place on 19 under, with Rory McIlroy another shot back after a closing 64.

"I got off to a hot start, which was nice and what I felt like I needed," McIlroy said after a round containing seven birdies and one bogey.

"Then hit a drive on nine that I didn't think was that bad. Ended up against the boundary fence and made a bogey there which halted the momentum that I had.

"Bounced back well with a birdie on 11 but then missed a chance on 12, birdied 13. Then just couldn't get anything to drop over those last few holes.

"I