The year of the new faces shows no sign of slowing

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Keegan Bradley is just the latest of a bright young generation to step into the spotlight on the PGA TOUR.

We do it all the time.

We focus so hard on one or two things that we miss the big picture. And a bunch of other nifty details that slide right under our radar.

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Like this golf season.

No question it's been the year of the new face. It's just not always been the new face everyone was expecting.

Admit it. Like everyone else you've been wondering when Rickie Fowler was going to breakthrough or when Dustin Johnson was going to bounce back. Nick Watney has intrigued you and Rory McIlroy has just about everyone wrapped around his little finger -- and his right wrist.

But while we've been concentrating on their every moves and wondering what their bright futures will bring, guys like Chris Kirk, Scott Stallings, D.A. Points, Brendan Steele, Jhonattan Vegas and, of course, Keegan Bradley have stepped up.

Some young, some not quite so young. Guys who cut their professional teeth on the Nationwide Tour. Guys who are winning, guys who are contending. Guys who are working their way up The Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup points lists. Guys who wouldn't surprise you in the least if they wound in another month in the final mix for the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.

Didn't know Bradley from Steele or Jeff Overton from Jason Dufner at the start of the year? You're not alone.

Heck, Dufner has been mistaken for McIlroy -- guess it's the curls and round face because nothing else matches up. Bradley has spent the season as Aunt Pat's nephew. Ok. So everyone knows Jhonny Vegas now, but ... was that Chris Kirk or Chris Stroud? Not sure, but definitely not Kris Blanks. The new Scott? Could be Stallings or Piercy.

Confused? Don't be. They're sorting themselves. They're fearless and tough and finding out that sometimes chasing their dreams means winning when they -- and every one else -- least expects it.

This doesn't mean we're going breathless and jumping into hyperdrive every time someone steps up. Ok. So Rory-mania is an exception. And Keegs? He has the charisma and the making of an American superstar and people aren't just talking rookie of the year. They're tossing in -- with the FedExCup and fall to go -- the player of the year mix. A little early, but ... it's the way fans are rolling these days.

The rule? Keep an eye on these kids. They're all really good. Good enough to win majors -- obviously -- but smart enough to know they also need a little help from their friends. Not just their traveling team.

Overton, Bradley and Steele have joined Johnson, Fowler, Watney and others in jumping into Phil Mickelson's practice round tutorials. They're unofficial, of course. Money games on practice days. A tradition that's longer than a barrel of belly putters placed end-to-end.

Miller Barber and Don January used to take Ben Crenshaw and Bruce Lietzke to school in practice rounds. Payne Stewart, Paul Azinger and Fred Couples did it to Mickelson's generation. Heck, Jimmy Demaret and Jackie Burke schooled the kids, too.

No better way to feel pressure and learn to handle it than to play for your own money, right? One of Mickelson's current laws. "I think that's the best way to feel pressure and learn to compete,'' he said.

Bradley played a practice round with Mickelson at THE PLAYERS. A few weeks later, Bradley won the HP Byron Nelson Championship -- in a playoff.

"Phil, he takes a lot of guys under his wing, more than people know about," Bradley said. "He's always there to help. I played with him in a practice round at THE PLAYERS and he gave me his phone number and said text me any time. Sure enough, one of the first texts I got after I won at the Nelson was from Phil and (caddie Bones Mackay) which was pretty cool.

"I really, truly think he's there looking to help. He's a great guy to listen to."

And talk smack with. What sport doesn't do that? Makes life fun. Makes players tougher.

Mickel-Money Matches are 18 holes. Just like a Presidents or Ryder Cup. Or U.S. Open playoff. The hint? So obvious. Pretty darn effective.

Bradley is just the latest young face to separate himself from that crowded Nationwide alum crowd. And, he's the first to admit his entire career has flown under the radar.

Who looks in Vermont for talent? Who thinks about St. John's as a step toward the TOUR? Who thought -- at the start of last week -- a guy his aunt calls Keegs would be holding the Wanamaker Trophy and the Bradley bells would be ringing across the country.

We were looking at Fowler and Johnson and wondering what if. Bradley and Steele and Dufner? Nice guys who would probably make the cut. So much for ...

More than a decade ago, the NBA launched the WNBA. The superstar-apparents were Lisa Leslie and Rebecca Lobo. They had the looks, the college creds, the teams -- Leslie in Los Angeles; Lobo in New York. So what happened? Cynthia Cooper -- a super-talented afterthought -- wound up taking the league by the throat and leading her Houston Comets to the first four WNBA titles and picking up two league MVPs.

And Leslie and Lobo? Leslie went on to win three MVPs. Lobo, whose career was defined by injuries, is a television analyst.

Bradley is no longer an afterthought. Or just Pat's nephew. The PGA put him in the major club. His second win of the year made you realize he really does belong in that constant conversation about young faces like Fowler and Johnson. He just might be working his way onto a Cup team. Or just toward another win.

So the next time you see a Chris Kirk, Chris Stroud or a Bobby Gates climbing a leader board, take a minute. Stop talking about just the usual suspects and take a look.

He might be an afterthought, but, then again, he just might be the next Bradley.

Melanie Hauser is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM and can be reached at melaniehauser@gmail.com. Her views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR. Follow her on Twitter @melaniehauser.