Jacob Bridgeman repelled an inspired Rory McIlroy comeback to claim his first PGA TOUR title thanks to a one-shot victory at the Genesis Invitational.
The 26-year-old American came into the final round at Riviera Country Club with a healthy six shot advantage at the summit of the leaderboard and that extended to seven during the early stages of the final round with birdies at the first and third. His lead remained comfortable as he entered the back nine despite stuttering with bogeys at the fourth and seventh. However, Bridgeman seemed to stall during the back nine with six consecutive pars which left the door ajar for the chasing pack.
World no. 2 McIlroy, who was playing alongside Bridgeman, pursued the American and seemed to have found momentum on the back nine with a sublime bunker shot at the 12th which was followed by back-to-back birdies to leave him just a shot away from Bridgeman who looked to be on the verge of a potential collapse when he bogeyed the 16th.
There was further pressure mounting with fellow countryman Kurt Kitayama also in contention after he birdied the 17th finding himself level with McIlroy. But Bridgeman kept his cool at the last draining a 3-foot par putt to card a 1-over 72, finish on 18 under, and seal a narrow victory for his first PGA TOUR title.
“This is way, way better than I ever dreamt it,” Bridgeman said afterwards. “I thought it was going to be a lot easier than that. It was honestly easy until I got to the 16th, then it got really hard.
“I made it as hard as I could at the end, having to make a three-footer at the last. I didn’t feel crazy nervous until I had to hole a five-footer for bogey at the 16th. That one was sketchy.
“I couldn’t feel my hands on the last few greens. I hit that putt on 18 hoping it would get somewhere near the hole. I’m glad it’s done now. Winning at this course, in front of so many people, is a dream come true.”
Victory means his solid start to 2026 continues after already sealing two top-10 finishes prior to the Genesis Invitational including last week’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am (8th). He also climbs up into the top 20 on the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time in his career and is now at the top of the FedExCup standings.
McIlroy carded an impressive 4-under 67 in the final round but it was not enough to overhaul Bridgeman as he finished on 17 under alongside Kitayama.
“I tried to make some things happen,” the Northern Irishman said. “I holed some putts on the back nine, which is nice, but I’ll rue basically all 18 holes yesterday and then the front nine today, like 27 holes where I failed to capitalise on the chances I gave myself.”
Australian Adam Scott achieved the best round of the day to help him claim fourth on 16 under while World no. 1 Scottie Scheffler failed to finish inside the top 10 of a PGA TOUR event for the first time in 18 events despite a strong final round with the American having to settle for T12.
What is the next event?
The next event on the PGA TOUR schedule is the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches taking place between February 26 – March 1 at PGA National’s Champion Course in Florida.