Seven-time West Virginia Open winner David Bradshaw, a Jefferson High graduate and native of Bakerton, will have to wait for a possible eighth Open golf championship. Bradshaw, who now lives in California and is currently on the PGA Tour-Canada circuit, never led in the three-round tournament completed last week in Daniels at The Glade Springs Resort Club.

Bradshaw finished second behind 2014 champion Christian Brand, who blistered the Cobb Course with a six-under-par round of 66 on the final day of the 54-hole event.

After coming to Daniels from the Staal Foundation Open in Thunder Bay, Ontario where he had completed four rounds in even-par fashion, Bradshaw played a 27-hole practice round on Tuesday, July 22. The Wednesday-through-Friday West Virginia Open saw him begin play with a two-under-par 70 in the first round. He was two shots behind the two leaders who had carded rounds of 68.

In the second round, Bradshaw improved to a 68 (four under par), but still trailed leader Will Evans by two shots.

Bradshaw was in the next-to-last pairing for the final round. His last round started well with him carding birdies on four of the first five holes. But then he played the course’s last 13 holes in one-over-par as Brand went on a birdie spree of his own.

Brand’s final-round 66 left him two strokes clear of Bradshaw, who completed the 54-hole grind at nine-under-par.

Brand earned a check for $6,000 for winning the championship.

Bradshaw will return to the Canadian circuit to complete the season before then going back to California for the late fall and winter.

The 31-year-old told reporters at the just-completed West Virginia Open that he may turn his full attention to becoming a teaching professional in the southern California area.

Even with his runner-up finish this year, Bradshaw remained in the second place in West Virginia Open wins behind only near-immortal Sam Snead, who claimed 17 such championships in his long and successful career.