Jacob Bridgeman allowed himself to dream of victory at the Genesis Invitational, imagining the vibrant crowd around the 18th hole at Riviera and the presentation of the trophy with Tiger Woods. Almost everything came true on Sunday, except for one small detail.
Bridgeman started with a six-stroke lead, which he extended to seven after 12 holes. However, the lead was reduced due to the outstanding performances of Adam Scott (63), Kurt Kitayama (64) and Rory McIlroy (67), which made him lose sensitivity in his hands when putting. Despite the pressure, Bridgeman managed to stay calm and secure the victory with a par on the last hole, sinking a three-foot putt for a 72 (+1) and beating McIlroy and Kitayama by one stroke, thus obtaining his first title on the PGA Tour.I imagined myself walking towards that hole with a four-stroke lead knowing I had won. Unfortunately for me, it was only a one-stroke lead and I got much more nervous.
Jacob Bridgeman
Bridgeman, the first player since Scott in 2005 to win on his debut at Riviera, met with Woods at the top of the stairs leading to the 18th hole green. During the trophy presentation, Bridgeman recounted that the tournament host told him how special it was to win at Riviera, a course where Woods never managed to triumph.This is much better than I ever dreamed.
Jacob Bridgeman
The situation seemed simple for Bridgeman until it got complicated. McIlroy, needing to put pressure on in the final group, stayed at par in the first 10 holes.He said to me: ‘You’ve won’. I guess he’s never won here. I have one thing. He has all the others.
Jacob Bridgeman
Bridgeman finished with a total of 18 under par, 266 strokes, and did not achieve any birdies in the last 15 holes. He listened to the constant cheers for McIlroy, one of the most popular figures in golf, who did not pose a real threat until he holed a shot from the bunker on the 12th hole and finished with birdie-birdie for a 67.Since he wasn’t being pressured, he probably felt he didn’t need to do much, but he played very well. But it’s difficult to close out major tournaments. Although he was a bit shaky at the end, he held firm when needed.
Rory McIlroy
Scott, who received a sponsor exemption, managed five birdies in the last nine holes and closed with a 63 to finish fourth, two strokes away. This was his best result since the tie for third place at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai at the end of 2024.I thought it was going to be much easier. Honestly, it was easy until I got to 16 and then it got very difficult. I made it as difficult as I could.
Jacob Bridgeman
Scottie Scheffler, who had to make a 7-foot par putt on Friday to make the cut, had a weekend of 66-65 and finished tied for 12th, his worst result since he tied for 20th at The Players Championship almost a year ago. He ended his streak of 18 consecutive top 10s. Bridgeman is already qualified for the Masters after reaching the Tour Championship last year. He became the first player this year to win on the PGA Tour while being outside the top 50 (No. 52). The victory propels him into the top 25. He won not only on a historic course like Riviera, but also with McIlroy, the Masters champion, by his side and receiving the most attention until he lost his rhythm. Many putts grazed the edge, and then the last one fell from 30 feet, leading to his grand finale. For a second, it seemed like he might give McIlroy extra holes in a playoff when Bridgeman left his first putt short. But, as he has done all week, Bridgeman never seemed uncomfortable. Turns out he felt that way.I feel really good to have made the most of this week. It’s not a win, where I’ve really focused on getting back in the winner’s circle this year, but a result feels good because it’s been a while since I got a good result.
Adam Scott
I couldn’t even feel my hands on the last greens. I just hit the putt hoping it would get close to the hole, and I left both of them short by a mile. But I’m glad it’s over.
Jacob Bridgeman
