Genesis Invitational: Jacob Bridgeman holds off Rory McIlroy to claim first PGA Tour win by one shot

Jacob Bridgeman held off Rory McIlroy to claim his first PGA Tour victory at The Genesis Invitational as the American won by just one shot after leading by seven earlier in the final round.

Bridgeman made the only two birdies of his final round in his first three holes to extend the six-shot lead he started with on Sunday by one, but the 26-year-old stumbled his way to the finish line with three bogeys to give the chasing pack a chance.

McIlroy, playing alongside Bridgeman in the final pairing at Riviera Country Club, missed a series of makeable putts on the front nine but eventually started his challenge by making a stunning bunker shot on the 12th before two birdies to finish left the Northern Irishman just one stroke behind.

McIlroy’s 67 meant he shared second place with Kurt Kitayama, who produced a superb seven-under-par final round of 64 but was unable to make a closing birdie that would have drawn him level with Bridgeman.

Bridgeman hit two fine shots to leave what looked to be a simple two-putt up the hill from 20 feet on the final green, but left the first a few feet short, leaving himself to knock in a nervous three-footer to seal the win.

“I thought it would be a lot easier than that,” Bridgeman said. “It was honestly easy until I got to about 16 and then it got really hard. I can’t believe it. I did it about as hard as I could have done I think at the end – making it a shot and having to make a three-footer, but this is unbelievable.

“I didn’t really feel nervous until I had a five-footer for bogey on 16. It was sketchy. I hit a really good putt and luckily it went in, and then I was really nervous from there on out.

“I couldn’t even feel my hands on the last couple of greens. I just hit the putt hoping it would come somewhere near the hole and both of them I left a mile short. I’m glad it’s done now.”

Adam Scott claimed the lowest round of the day with a 63 to claim fourth place on 16 under, while South African Aldrich Potgieter was a shot further back in fifth.

American Jake Knapp was alone at 13-under in sixth, while Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood and last week’s Pebble Beach winner Collin Morikawa were in a group tied for seventh at 12-under.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler finished the tournament strong with a 65, but saw his PGA Tour record streak of top-10 finishes end at 18 as he finished the week tied for 12th at 11-under.

McIlroy was left with his worst round of the week on Saturday, a 69 that ultimately left him with too much to do.

“I was trying to make some things happen,” McIlroy said. “I hit some putts on the back nine, which is nice, but I’ll regret pretty much all 18 holes yesterday and then the front nine today, like 27 holes, where I failed to take advantage of the chances I gave myself.”

There were some great moments at the Riviera on Sunday, with England’s Fleetwood chipping in for eagle from 173 yards on the 15th, moments before Max Greyserman made a hole-in-one on the par-three 14th.

What’s next?

Before PGA Tour action resumes, there’s TGL action live on Sky Sports Golf every night from Monday to Wednesday, with the first indoor action coming at 10:00 PM Monday night when Atlanta Drive GC takes on Boston Common Golf.

Then the PGA Tour moves on from California to Florida for the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches on the PGA National Champion Course. Jacob Bridgeman is due to return to action immediately, while notable names on the entry list include Brooks Koepka, as he continues his PGA Tour return, and Ireland’s Shane Lowry.

There is early coverage live on Thursday from 11.45pm on Sky Sports Golf ahead of full coverage from 4 p.m. Get Sky Sports or stream without a contract on NOW