New England’s Bradley shrinks on Sunday

BROOKLINE, Mass. — The day before, Keegan Bradley lived a dream, vaulting himself into contention in the U.S. Open near his home state of Vermont.

No one had more momentum entering Sunday’s final round than he did, entering the day just two shots out of the lead — until his dream was dashed by bogeys on the first three holes Sunday.

Bradley, who played his college golf at St. John’s, would never recover, finishing in a disappointing tie for seventh after shooting 71 and finishing 1-under par, five shots behind winner Matt Fitzpatrick.

“There’s a part of me that’s still happy that it’s over,’’ Bradley said. “I’m tapped out. What a week. I had the best time. I’m so thankful for the fans of New England and Boston. I’m proud of the way I played. I wish I had putted a little better today, but that’s the way it goes.’’

He said of the fans chanting his name on the 18th hole Saturday, “Man, I’ll remember that for the rest of my life.’’

➤ If only Chris Gotterup didn’t have to play the 15th hole at The Country Club this week.

The 22-year-old Jersey Shore native, playing in his first U.S. Open, finished 8-over par for the tournament and in 43rd place.

But had it not been for the pesky 15th hole, which Gotterup played in 5-over par for the week (a fourputt double bogey in Thursday’s first round and bogeys in the final three rounds), he would have finished 3-over and in 23rd place.

“I’m happy I didn’t have to play that one again,’’ Gotterup told The Post afterward. “I hit a bunch of good drives on that hole and just never got it going.’’

Gotterup grew up in Little Silver, played at Rumson Country Club with his dad Morten as a kid and played four years at Rutgers and one year at Oklahoma. He called the week “a good experience,’’ adding, “I think I handled it really well.

I played good. I’ll definitely take a lot from this week. I’m not overly pleased with how the weekend went, because I feel like I’m hitting it pretty damned good right now.’’

➤ Travis Vick, a 22-year-old from the University of Texas, was the low amateur among the four in the field who made the cut, finishing 8-over par and in a tie for 43rd after shooting 73 on Sunday. Sam Bennett finished 10-over, Austin Greaser finished 17-over and Stewart Hagestad finished 19-over.

“It’s just been an honor being here,’’ Vick said. “The whole experience was incredible. Then to top it off with low-am, it’s hard to put into words how awesome that is.’’