Bridgeman Takes Command at Genesis with Stunning 64
Jacob Bridgeman put on a masterclass at Riviera on Saturday, firing a 7-under 64 to build a commanding six-shot lead at the Genesis Invitational. The 26-year-old Clemson product sits at 19-under 194 heading into Sunday’s final round.
“It was fun and easy, kind of the best that the golf world ever gets,” Bridgeman said. “My swing felt nice and it was fun out there. Everyone was cheering, so yeah, it was a good day.”
That might be the understatement of the tournament. Starting the day tied for the lead, Bridgeman quickly separated himself from the pack with a performance that had spectators scrambling to witness his brilliance.
Most galleries followed Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele in the penultimate group, missing Bridgeman’s early fireworks – including a perfectly struck 7-wood to just 30 inches on the 262-yard fourth hole.
The day’s most spectacular shot came at the par-5 11th. Bridgeman launched another 7-wood from 259 yards that barely cleared a ridge before settling just 8 inches from the cup for a tap-in eagle. The roars were so loud he initially thought it might have gone in.
That eagle was the centerpiece of a birdie-eagle-birdie stretch that pushed his lead to six shots. His only real mistake? A missed 6-foot birdie putt on 18 that would have further padded his advantage.
“To be doing this on this stage at Riviera is a dream,” Bridgeman said.
With Sunday’s perfect weather forecast, Bridgeman has a chance to break the tournament’s 72-hole scoring record of 20-under 264, set by Lanny Wadkins in 1985 – the longest-standing scoring record on the PGA Tour.
McIlroy, who will join Bridgeman in Sunday’s final pairing, posted a solid 69 despite struggling with Riviera’s notoriously fast and bumpy late-afternoon greens. He finished with seven consecutive pars.
“I hung in there,” McIlroy said. “I wish I was a couple closer to the lead. It looks like I’ll be in the final group. Hopefully, put a little pressure on Jacob tomorrow. I’ve given myself a chance, and that’s all I can ask for.”
The Northern Irishman knows something about comebacks. He’s one of nine PGA Tour players who have won when trailing by six shots entering the final round, having rallied past Scottie Scheffler at the 2023 Tour Championship.
“I’m six back,” McIlroy said. “I need to get off to a fast start, try to apply some pressure and hopefully I can do that.”
Bridgeman isn’t intimidated by McIlroy’s presence. They’ve played together before, including a crucial round at last year’s BMW Championship where Bridgeman secured his spot in the Tour Championship.
“I know he’s going to play well tomorrow. I know that I can’t back up at all,” Bridgeman said. “But I think I feel comfortable. I was a little bit uncertain how it would be last year when I played with him in the playoffs. And I had a big day in Baltimore — I had to play good to make the Tour Championship and I was paired with Rory and it was kind of a lot.”
“I think if it was my first time maybe it would be a little unsettling,” he added. “But now I’m not worried about it.”
Aaron Rai (66) sits alone in third, eight shots behind Bridgeman. Schauffele’s chances faded when he missed four short putts, including three for birdies, on Riviera’s demanding greens.
England’s Marco Penge, who shared the 36-hole lead with Bridgeman, stumbled to a 74 and now trails by 10.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who barely made the cut, posted a 66 – his lowest round at Riviera. At 14 shots back, his only realistic goal is extending his PGA Tour streak of top-10 finishes to 19.
