Genesis Invitational: Jacob Bridgman wins by one stroke over Rory McIlroy for his first PGA Tour win | golf news

Jacob Bridgeman earned his first PGA Tour victory with a win over Rory McIlroy at The Genesis Invitational. The American won by just one stroke, having gone from a seven-shot lead into the final round.

Bridgeman made just two birdies in the first three holes of the final round to extend a six-stroke lead he started Sunday with a one-shot lead, but the 26-year-old stumbled to the finish line with three bogeys that gave his pursuers a chance.

Playing alongside Bridgeman in the final group at Riviera Country Club, McIlroy missed a series of possible putts on the front nine but finally nailed his challenge with a stunning bunker shot on the 12th hole, finishing with two birdies to leave the Northern Irishman just one stroke behind.

McIlroy’s 67 meant he shared second place with Kurt Kitayama, who shot an outstanding 7-under-par 64 in the final round but failed to make the final birdie that would have put him level with Bridgeman.

Bridgman hit two good shots to leave what looked like a simple two-putt over the hill from 20 feet on the final green, but left his first shot a few feet short before sinking a nervous three-footer to seal the win.

“I thought it would be a lot easier than that,” Bridgman said. “It was honestly easy until I got to about 16, but then it got really hard. It’s unbelievable. I made it as hard as I could at the end. I had to make one shot and make a 3-footer, which is amazing.

“I wasn’t really nervous until I made a 5-foot bogey on the 16th hole. That game was sketchy. I hit a really good putt and luckily it went in, and I was really nervous from then on.

“I couldn’t touch the last few greens. I hit the putt hoping it would land somewhere near the hole, but I ended up missing them both by a mile. I’m glad it’s over now.”

Adam Scott finished fourth at 16 under par with his lowest round of the day with a 63, while South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter was one shot behind in fifth.

America’s Jake Knapp finished alone in sixth place at 13 under par, while Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood and last week’s Pebble Beach winner Collin Morikawa were tied for seventh place at 12 under par.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler finished the tournament strong with a 65, but his streak of consecutive top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour ended at 18 and he finished the week tied for 12th at 11 under par.

McIlroy came to regrets this Saturday after shooting his worst round of 69, which ultimately left him with too much work to do.

“I tried to make something happen,” McIlroy said. “I made a few putts on the back nine, which is good, but basically I regret all 18 yesterday, and today I will regret 27 holes on the first nine, where I didn’t take advantage of the opportunities that gave me.”

There were several surprising moments on the Riviera on Sunday. It was England’s Fleetwood aiming for an eagle from 173 yards on the 15th hole. Max Graceman came close to making a hole-in-one on the par-3 14th hole.

What’s next?

TGL matches will be shown live on Sky Sports Golf every night from Monday to Wednesday before PGA Tour play resumes. The first indoor event takes place Monday night at 10pm when Atlanta Drive GC takes on Boston Common Golf.

The PGA Tour then moves from California to Florida for the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach at the PGA National Champion Course. Jacob Bridgeman is set to return immediately, while notable names on the entry list include Brooks Koepka, who continues his return to the PGA Tour, and Ireland’s Shane Lowry.

There will be early live coverage on Sky Sports Golf from 11.45pm on Thursday, with full coverage from 4pm. Get Sky Sports now or stream with no contract.

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