In a field full of golf’s biggest stars, the 26-year-old Jacob Bridgeman stood alone this week at the Genesis Invitational
The Clemson product was torn Riviera Country Club over the first three days and then held on Sunday to beat Rory McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama by one to earn his first career PGA Tour victory.
Bridgeman arrived Sunday with a six-shot lead over McIlroy. While the gap was large, Bridgeman knew he couldn’t falter during the final round and open the door for McIlroy. Playing conservative wouldn’t cut it. He had to stay aggressive and keep the pedal down to avoid a big streak.
“I think probably the only thing would be knowing he’s going to play well tomorrow. I know I can’t come back at all,” Bridgeman said Saturday.
“I think the way I’ve been playing is pretty aggressive and it’s worked. I don’t know that I’d change anything. And if that aggression gets me in a little trouble, that’s OK. Maybe it’ll be balanced out with some good ones. I don’t think anything’s going to change. I hope I can get out there again.”
Bridgeman opened with a birdie at the start and birdied another on No. 3 to extend his lead to seven. He made the turn at even par for the round and headed into the 10th with a five-shot lead over Kurt Kitayama and a six-shot advantage over McIlroy, Adam Scott and Aldrich Potgieter.
Bridgeman said this week has been “fun and easy,” but the golf gods never make it that simple. As he powered his way through the back nine, Kitayama made a frantic charge to close the gap to one with two holes to play. Bridgeman birdied the par-5 17th and arrived at the 72nd hole needing to make a four to secure the title and avoid the playoff.
He split the fairway, hit his approach to 19 feet and chipped in to lift the Tiger Woods tournament trophy and collect the $4 million check that goes with it.
Below is a recap of what everyone in the field won this week in Southern California. The tournament has a purse of $20 million with $4 million going to the winner.
What each player did at the 2026 Genesis Invitational
WIN IT. Jacob Bridgeman, $4,000,000
T2. Kurt Kitayama, $1,800,000
Rory McIlroy, $1,800,000
4. Adam Scott, $1,000,000
5. Aldrich Potgieter, $840,000
6. Jake Knapp, $760,000
T7. Xander Schauffele, $602,200
Collin Morikawa, $602,200
Cameron Young, $602,200
Tommy Fleetwood, $602,200
Ryan Fox, $602,200
T12. Scottie Scheffler, $415,000
Min Woo Lee, $415,000
Jordan Spieth, $415,000
Alex Noren, $415,000
T16. Marco Penge, $319,000
Sam Stevens, $319,000
Akshay Bhatia, $319,000
Pierceson Coody, $319,000
T20. Ludvig Aberg, $259,500
Robert MacIntyre, $259,500
T22. Harris English, $224,500
Sahith Theegala, $224,500
T24. Shane Lowry, $178,250
Matt Fitzpatrick, $178,250
Matt McCarty, $178,250
Max Grayserman, $178,250
T28. Rickie Fowler, $136,500
Aaron Rai, $136,500
Tony Debate, $136,500
Hideki Matsuyama, $136,500
Ryan Gerard, $136,500
Nick Taylor, $136,500
T34. Tom Kim, $109,000
Si Woo Kim, $109,000
Patrick Rodgers, $109,000
T37. Patrick Cantlay, $92,250
Max Homa, $92,250
Corey Conners, $92,250
Sam Valimaki, $92,250
T41. Victor Hovland, $78,000
Ben Griffin, $78,000
Wyndham Clark, $78,000
44. Jonathan Vegas, $70,000
T45. Ryo Hisatsune, $64,000
Taylor Pendrith, $64,000
