Jacob Bridgeman won the 2026 Genesis Invitational with a one-over 72 in the final round. This was his first PGA Tour win.

Winning at Riviera is certainly not an easy feat. The course was damp and fast, forcing the golfers to stay extremely focused throughout the event.

On top of that, it was Tiger Woods who handed Bridgeman the victory trophy. But was this how the 26-year-old dreamed of his first PGA Tour win would be?

“This is way, way better than I've ever dreamt it,” the Genesis Invitational winner told the media following his win. “I thought it was going to be a lot easier than that. It was honestly easy until I got to about 16, and then it got really hard.” 

“I made it about as hard as I could have made it, I think, at the end, making it one shot and having to make a three-footer. Yeah, this is incredible.”

Jacob Bridgeman entered the final round with a six-shot lead. With 12 holes remaining, that lead extended to seven shots. In the end, on the 18th fairway, he made a three-foot putt with his shadow towering over the hole.

This ensured strong performers like Rory McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama stayed one shot behind. Nevertheless, winning at the Riviera Country Club in front of a multitude of fans was indeed a dream come true.

After all, Riviera is one of the courses that Bridgeman grew up watching. And the support he received from the fans and professionals further heightened his thrill.

But didn’t he feel nervous at the tournament? 

Was Jacob Bridgeman Jittery at the Genesis Invitational?

As the interview continued, the media pointed out that Chris Gotterup endorsed Bridgeman as a steady golfer. But during the final stretch of the 2026 Genesis Invitational, Bridgeman’s nerves were a bit unsteady. 

“I didn't really feel crazy nervous until I had a five-footer for bogey on 16,” the South Carolinian revealed. “That one 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 greens, I just hit the putt hoping it would get somewhere near the hole. And both of them, I left a mile short. But I'm glad it's done now.”

At the end of the day, Bridgeman finished at 18-under 266. And in the final 15 holes, he failed to make a single birdie. But Bridgeman didn’t really show his nervousness to the world.

Can Jacob Bridgeman extend his wins further in the upcoming events? Tell us in the comments and read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu