Jacob Bridgeman secured his first PGA Tour title on February 22, by winning the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. He won by one shot over Rory McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama, who both closed at 17-under. 

The road to the title was not without scrutiny. During a watch-along segment connected to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, media personality Benjamin W. Boscovich discussed the leaderboard and did not mention Bridgeman’s name while listing contenders such as Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa. 

When prompted, he said Bridgeman was “not a box office name.” 

Bridgeman entered the final round at Riviera with a six-shot lead and extended it to seven before the margin narrowed. He reported losing feeling in his hands late in the round. On the 18th hole, he made a three-foot par putt to secure the win.

Following the comment, Boscovich issued an on-air apology on Dan on Golf on February 23. Addressing the 26-year-old directly, he said:

“When pressed by my co-host, Dan Rapoport, I stated, you are not a box office name. I regret these transgressions. They bring me great shame, and I’m sorry.”

Boscovich’s apology did not stand alone as words on a broadcast; Bridgeman validated it with his performance at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, where he closed the tournament and secured the title through his play.

Jacob Bridgeman at the 2026 Genesis Invitational 

At the 2026 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, Jacob Bridgeman signed for 18-under 266 across four rounds of 66, 66, 64, and 72. He collected 700 FedExCup points and $4 million.

Across the first three days, he created distance from the field. A 7-under 64 in the third round extended his total and gave him a six-shot lead heading into Sunday. From there, the final round brought pressure. 

He posted a 1-over 72, and the margin tightened during the back nine. Still, he arrived at the 18th hole needing par and holed a three-foot putt to close the tournament.

The win pushed his position in the Official World Golf Ranking shifted from No. 52 into the top 25. And he also became the first player since 2005 to win at Riviera in his first appearance at the event.

Looking at the numbers, the performance followed a clear pattern. He led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach and Strokes Gained: Putting, joining a group of four players since 2004 to top both categories in the same week. 

How would you rate Bridgeman’s win over five-time major winner Rory McIlroy at Riviera? Tell us in the comments and read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu