Jacob Bridgeman Holds Off Rory McIlroy And Kurt Kitayama To Claim Maiden PGA Tour Title At Genesis Invitational

Starting six shots clear of the field, Bridgeman carded a one-over-par final round to claim a one stroke victory over a number of big names at Riviera Country Club

Jacob Bridgeman waves to the crowd

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Going into the final round of the Genesis Invitational, you could be forgiven for thinking the title was going to Jacob Bridgeman, who started Sunday with a commanding six shot advantage.

Jacob Bridgeman and Rory McIlroy watch putts

Bridgeman was paired alongside McIlroy for the final round in Los Angeles

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Beginning his round with a birdie at the first and third holes, Bridgeman extended his advantage to seven strokes and, even with bogeys at the fourth and seventh, he was still comfortably ahead going into the back nine.

Finding six straight pars to begin the final run in, charges were being made from numerous players, but enough wasn't being done to challenge the 26-year-old, who remained consistent and strong at Riviera Country Club.

Adam Scott, who claimed victory at the Genesis Invitational in 2020, carded an eight-under 63 to finish 16-under, while Kitayama, who made eight birdies on Sunday, produced a seven-under 64 to set the clubhouse target at 17-under.

In fact, it was a birdie at the 17th from Kitayama that put the pressure on Bridgeman, who bogeyed the par 3 16th to see his then three shot lead drop to just one.

Kurt Kitayama waves to the crowd after holing a putt

Kitayama set the clubhouse target following a stunning seven-under final round

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Not taking advantage of the par 5 17th, making a five following a poor approach, Bridgeman led by a single stroke going up the last.

Finding the fairway, and then the green, it appeared the event hosted by Tiger Woods was wrapped up by Bridgeman, that was until he left his birdie putt four-foot short.

Going through his routine, the par putt was never anywhere else as he rammed it home for a relieved victory at the iconic venue.

Jacob Bridgeman hugs his caddie on the 18th hole

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Speaking after his round, an emotional Bridgeman stated: "This is way, way better than I ever dreamt it. 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."

Genesis Invitational Leaderboard

  • -18 Jacob Bridgeman (72)
  • -17 Kurt Kitayama (64)
  • -17 Rory McIlroy (67)
  • -16 Adam Scott (63)
  • -15 Aldrich Potgieter (68)
  • -13 Jake Knapp (66)

Updates from...

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A HANDSHAKE WITH THE HOST

WORDS FROM THE CHAMPION

THE WINNING MOMENT

A TWO PUTT AT THE LAST

JACOB BRIDGEMAN WINS THE GENESIS INVITATIONAL

BIRDIE AT THE LAST FOR RORY

WHAT A SHOT FROM THE LEADER

GOOD WEEK FOR POTGIETER

SPIETH'S REACTION IN REAL TIME

TEE SHOTS AT THE 18TH

BRIDGEMAN ONE UP GOING DOWN THE LAST

Jacob Bridgeman acknowledges fans during the Genesis Invitational

(Image credit: Getty Images)

BUNKER SHOTS FROM THE FINAL PAIR

TARGET SET

SECOND SHOT OF BRIDGEMAN'S

BIRDIE PUTT COMING UP

Kurt Kitayama walks off the green

(Image credit: Getty Images)

From 175 yards, Kitayama pulls his approach at the 18th, leaving himself a 33-footer for birdie, which he will, likely, have to hole.

FAIRWAYS FOUND

THE LEAD IS ONE

THIS ISN'T OVER

POSSIBLE TROUBLE FOR THE LEADER?

EAGLE CHANCE FOR KITAYAMA

PARS FOR JACOB AND RORY

SO GOOD FROM SCOTTY

BIRDIES FOR KURT AND ALDRICH

SUPER SCOTT

Adam Scott stares into the distance

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Scott rolls back the years and birdies the 17th and 18th to fire an eight-under 63 at Riviera!

Excellent round from the 45-year-old, whose bogey-free 63 is his seventh bogey-free round at Riviera. He is 16-under and solo second right now.

GOOD SHAPE FOR BRIDGEMAN

ANOTHER DART FROM KURT

PARS AT THE 14TH

ANOTHER SOLID SHOT FROM BRIDGEMAN

Jacob Bridgeman shakes hands

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He's doing everything right here at Riviera, with Bridgeman's tee shot at the par 3 14th finishing 15-foot left of the flag.

McIlroy, meanwhile, pulls his approach left, leaving himself around 30-foot for the birdie. You feel he needs to get going to have any chance of overtaking the leader.

CLUTCH FROM BRIDGEMAN

ADAM SCOTT TO 15-UNDER

Adam Scott at the Australian Open

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It's a little too late for Scott, but the Australian is enjoying a fine performance on Sunday, as the Major winner birdies the 17th to move to 15-under.

He's bogey-free today, sitting seven-under for the round. He received a sponsor's invite and is making the most of it today.

BIG MISS FOR KITAYAMA

GREYSERMAN MAKES THE ACE

UNREAL FROM RORY

KITAYAMA PRODUCES A DART

Kurt Kitayama hits a driver

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He currently shares second place alongside McIlroy and, at the par 3 14th, Kitayama puts his tee shot a few feet from the hole, almost replicating Greyserman's heroics from a few moments ago.

The American will have that to move to 16-under, and to move three back of Greyserman, who safely two putted at the 12th.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

MAX GREYSERMAN MAKES AN ACE

SOLID FROM BRIDGEMAN

DROPPED SHOT FOR POTGIETER

GO ON TOMMY LAD

BAD TEE SHOT FOR RORY

A NORMAL SPIETH PAR

RORY GAINS A SHOT ON BRIDGEMAN

SCOTTIE SHOOTS A 65

Scottie Scheffler hits a driver off the tee

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His top 10 streak is still alive, as Scottie Scheffler fires a six-under 65 on Sunday.

The World No.1 hasn't finished outside the top 10 since The Players Championship, with his current streak standing at 19.

He is currently in a tie for eighth but, with plenty of golf left to play, he could well see his top 10 streak continue.

UNLUCKY BREAK FOR THE LEADER

FRONT NINE RECAP

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