Jacob Bridgman held off Rory McIlroy for his first PGA Tour win at the Genesis Invitational, with the American leading by seven points early in the final round to win by just one stroke.
Bridgeman had the only two birdies of the final round in his first three holes to extend his six-stroke lead from Sunday’s start, but the 26-year-old stumbled to the finish line with three bogeys, giving the chasing pack a chance.
Playing alongside Bridgeman in the final draw at Riviera Country Club, McIlroy missed a number of potential putts on the front nine, but ultimately ignited the challenge with a beautiful bunker shot on the 12th, and two birdies to the end to put the Northern Irishman within one shot.
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Rory McIlroy holed out with a sensational bunker shot at the Genesis Invitational on the 12th.
McIlroy’s 67 meant he shared second place with Kurt Kitayama. Kitayama posted an impressive 7-under 64 in the final round, but was unable to make a late birdie that would have tied him with Bridgeman.
Bridgman hit two shots that looked like simple two-putts up the hill from 20 feet off the final green, leaving the other a few feet short and sinking a nervous 3-foot putt to seal the victory.
“I thought it would be easier,” Bridgeman said. “Honestly, it was easy until I was about 16 and then it got really difficult. It’s unbelievable. I think I tried as hard as I could in the end. I had to make one shot, a 3-footer, which is unbelievable.”
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Rory McIlroy missed a chance to close the gap to the lead at the Genesis Invitational.
“I wasn’t super nervous until I hit the 5-foot bogey on the 16th, but that putt was a close call. I hit a really good putt and luckily it went in. And from there I was really nervous.”
“I couldn’t even feel my hands on the last few greens. I hit some putts hoping to get close to the hole, but both were a mile short. I’m glad it’s over now.”
Adam Scott had the lowest round of the day with a 63 to take fourth place at 16 under, while South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter was one stroke back in fifth place.
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Max Glaserman delighted the crowd with a stunning hole-in-one at the Genesis Invitational.
American Jake Knapp was alone in 6th place with 13 under par, while Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood and last week’s Pebble Beach winner Collin Morikawa were in a group tied for 7th place with 12 under par.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler finished the tournament with a strong 65, but his streak of consecutive top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour came to an end with 18, and he ended the week tied for 12th place with a total of 11 under.
McIlroy regretted his worst round of the week, a 69 on Saturday, and ultimately had too much work to do.
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Tommy Fleetwood hits a slam dunk eagle on the 15th hole of the Genesis Invitational.
“I tried to make some things happen,” McIlroy said. “It was good to hole some putts on the back nine, but I basically regret all 18 holes yesterday and the front nine today, including 27 holes where I didn’t take advantage of the opportunities I had.”
There were some amazing moments at Riviera on Sunday, including England’s Fleetwood holed out for eagle from 173 yards on the 15th, and just before that Max Glaserman made a hole-in-one on the par-3 14th.
What’s next?
Before PGA Tour action resumes, TGL matches will be played live on Sky Sports Golf from Monday to Wednesday, with the first indoor match taking place on Monday night at 10pm between Atlanta Drive GC and Boston Common Golf.
The PGA Tour will then move from California to Florida, where the Cognizant Classic will be held at the PGA National Champion Course in Palm Beach. Jacob Bridgman is expected to return soon, but notable names on the entry list include Brooks Koepka and Ireland’s Shane Lowry, who continue their PGA Tour return.
It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf from 11.45pm on Thursday, ahead of the full coverage from 4pm. Get Sky Sports now or stream without a contract
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