ELMSFORD, N.Y. (September 24, 2012) - Keegan Bradley is days away from competing in a golf tournament that captures the imagination of golf fans on two continents. The former St. John's University golfer will tee off in the Ryder Cup on Friday, September 28 in front of what's expected to be a raucous environment at Medinah Country Club just outside of Chicago.

Bradley, who has developed the reputation as being one of the most clutch players on the PGA Tour (see 2011 PGA Championship, 2012 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational), qualified fourth in the USA Ryder Cup Standings. Points are primarily based on money earned in major championships and events played opposite majors. He'll join a team mixed with experienced Ryder Cuppers as well as some other rookies, including U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson, FedEx Cup winner Brandt Snedeker, and 2011 PGA Championship runner-up Jason Dufner.

Offical Ryder Cup practice sessions take place Tuesday through Thursday, and the opening ceremonies begin at 4:00 PM local time on Thursday. The schedules for Friday and Saturday are identical, with Foursome (alternate-shot) matches in the morning followed by Fourball matches in the afternoon. The singles matches will be played on Sunday.

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The 26-year-old Bradley, who used to practice at Wheatley Hills Country Club on Long Island, is the first player with Met Area ties to compete in the Ryder Cup since J.J. Henry played in the 2006 matches at Ireland's Celtic Manor (Europe dominated the USA, winning 18.5 to 9.5). It will be interesting to see how Bradley plays in the match play format of the Ryder Cup. His only professional match play experience came this year at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, where he advanced to the second round before losing 2 and 1 to European Ryder Cup Vice Captain Miguel Angel Jimenez.

In his press conference Tuesday, he said he'd be happy to be paired with any American, although playing with Phil would be ideal.

"It would be a dream of mine to partner up with Phil," he said. "I'm happy to partner with anybody on this team, but me and Phil have a great relationship, and the great part about Phil is he's there for advice but will also listen to me and take me seriously. I think that's what could make us a good partnership. I'd love to play with Webb; I'd love to play with any of the guys on this team."

Bradley said the last time he was at the Ryder Cup was in 1999, when the Americans rallied back on Sunday to win the Cup at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was a spectator back then. Now he'll be inside the ropes, trying to create a storybook ending of his own.