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.
However, winning on the PGA Tour is far from easy and, on Sunday, especially in the closing stages, the American only just held on to claim his maiden title, running out a one stroke victory over Rory McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama.
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.
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.
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)
- -12 Collin Morikawa (65)
- -12 Cameron Young (66)
- -12 Tommy Fleetwood (67)
- -12 Ryan Fox (67)
- -12 Xander Schauffele (69)
- -11 Min Woo Lee (65)
- -11 Scottie Scheffler (65)
- -11 Jordan Spieth (66)
- -11 Alex Noren (66)
- -10 Sam Stevens (65)
- -10 Pierceson Coody (67)
- -10 Akshay Bhatia (68)
- -10 Marco Penge (70)
- -9 Ludvig Aberg (66)
- -9 Robert MacIntyre (67)
Updates from...
FRONT NINE RECAP
The leaders are heading into the back nine and, over the first nine holes, it's Jacob Bridgeman who remains well ahead, despite the American only being level-par for his round.
Sitting 19-under, he's four clear of Kurt Kitayama and Aldrich Potgieter, who are making final round charges at Riviera Country Club.
One player who has struggled is Rory McIlroy, who is paired alongside Bridgeman. The five-time Major winner hasn't performed on the greens today and finds himself six shots back of the leader.
UNLUCKY BREAK FOR THE LEADER
Bridgeman finds the fairway at the par 5 11th, but his golf ball picks up some mud and hinders his approach.
Taking out a 4-iron, the mud flies the ball left and it nestles down in the thick rough. He will have a tough shot coming up.
In terms of McIlroy, he pummels a 5-iron into the heart of the green and will have an eagle attempt coming up from 35-foot.
SCOTTIE SHOOTS A 65
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.
RORY GAINS A SHOT ON BRIDGEMAN
McIlroy two putts for birdie at the par 5 11th, while Bridgeman is unable to get up-and-down for his birdie. McIlroy moves to 14-under, while Bridgeman remains at 19-under following his par.
A NORMAL SPIETH PAR
Casual par for Spieth 🤷From the bunker, to the rough, to 5 feet, @JordanSpieth saw all of the 15th, but still came out with a par save.📺 PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/Qyc8u0MMeKFebruary 22, 2026
BAD TEE SHOT FOR RORY
Moving to the par 4 12th, with McIlroy keeping the honor.
It's one of the hardest tee shots on the course and, with the five-time Major winner stepping up, he pulls his drive left and it is well back next to the tree line. He will have difficulty making a par from there.
Bridgeman, meanwhile, has hit the fairway all three days and, with his drive, makes it four from four, pounding his tee shot down the short grass.
GO ON TOMMY LAD
SLAM DUNK!!@TommyFleetwood1 holes it from the fairway @TheGenesisInv!📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/kL7HWmTqfmFebruary 22, 2026
DROPPED SHOT FOR POTGIETER
He just eagled the par 5 11th but, at the 12th, Potgieter is unable to get up-and-down and drops a shot at the tough par 4.
The South African goes from 15-under to 14-under, falling out of a share of second alongside Kitayama.
SOLID FROM BRIDGEMAN
Finding the fairway, the leader fires a 7-iron from 185 yards into the heart of the green at the 12th, leaving an easy two-putt.
McIlroy, meanwhile, has 260 yards left into the green and his iron shot comes up well short, finishing in the bunker. He's around 40 yards from the hole, so leaves a tough save for par.
MAX GREYSERMAN MAKES AN ACE
What a moment for Max Greyserman! Playing the par 3 14th, the American hits a perfect iron shot that drops in for the hole-in-one!
WHAT IS GOING ON?
Seconds after Greyserman makes an ace, McIlroy holes out from the bunker for an unlikely birdie!
Leaving himself 35 yards, the bunker shot comes out superbly, lands a few feet short and hits the center of the flag to drop in for a birdie. He's four back of Bridgeman.
KITAYAMA PRODUCES A DART
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.
UNREAL FROM RORY
Not going down without a fight!@McIlroyRory birdies from the bunker to get within 4 of solo leader Jacob Bridgeman.📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/nOJ9IH0g0MFebruary 22, 2026
GREYSERMAN MAKES THE ACE
An ace in the city of angels!Max Greyserman cards a 1⃣ at the 14th @TheGenesisInv. Presented by @TruGreen. pic.twitter.com/cZh6F1odjuFebruary 22, 2026
BIG MISS FOR KITAYAMA
After his excellent tee shot, Kitayama has a great chance to move within three of Bridgeman, but his putt stays high and lips out on the right side.
Speaking of Bridgeman, who is four clear, he safely finds the green at the 13th, while McIlroy also finds the dance floor, albeit he is further away than his playing partner.
ADAM SCOTT TO 15-UNDER
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.
CLUTCH FROM BRIDGEMAN
McIlroy leaves his lengthy birdie putt a foot short at the 13th, making a par to remain 15-under.
Bridgeman, meanwhile, has a similar length putt, which he rams a good five-foot past the hole. It's a testy putt coming back, but he's up to the challenge as the American saves par to remain 19-under.
ANOTHER SOLID SHOT FROM BRIDGEMAN
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.
PARS AT THE 14TH
Both McIlroy and Bridgeman leave birdie putts at the 14th and, with McIlroy, his attempt is strong, but slides by the left-side.
The line he took gives Bridgeman a great read, but his attempt is weak and never looks in. He taps in for the par to remain 19-under, four clear of McIlroy, Kitayama and Scott, who is playing the 18th.
ANOTHER DART FROM KURT
He needs a strong finish and, at the par 3 16th, Kitayama puts his approach to under 10-foot. He sits at 15-under, so will need to hole that to move within three.
GOOD SHAPE FOR BRIDGEMAN
The final pair make it to the tough 15th and, with his tee shot, Bridgeman finds the center stripe, which is the most important part given that this hole hasn't yielded many birdies today.
McIlroy, meanwhile, sees his tee shot land in the fairway bunker, leaving himself an extremely tough second into the par 4.
SUPER SCOTT
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.
BIRDIES FOR KURT AND ALDRICH
Both Kitayama and Potgieter are needing strong finishes, and the pair are giving it a good go!
Kitayama birdies the par 3 16th to move to 16-under, while Potgieter birdies the 15th to join McIlroy at 15-under.
Behind the duo, leader Bridgeman is safely aboard at the 15th, leaving 25-feet for birdie.
SO GOOD FROM SCOTTY
45-year-old Adam Scott still has plenty of game!In his 1,501st career round he shoots 63.The Aussie is T2 and looking for his best finish since July 2024.📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/9lgvqZ5RwKFebruary 22, 2026
PARS FOR JACOB AND RORY
After two great shots at the tough 15th, Bridgeman's attempt from 25-foot just misses on the left-side, with a tap-in par keeping him 19-under.
McIlroy, meanwhile, goes from bunker-to-bunker at the 15th, eventually leaving himself a six-footer to save par. He's missed a few of these today, but the putt never looks anywhere else, as it drops to keep him 15-under.
EAGLE CHANCE FOR KITAYAMA
Pounding his tee shot at the 16th, Kitayama follows it up with a stunning approach that is right down the flag.
Landing on the fringe, it rolls out to 30-foot, leaving himself an eagle attempt that, if it went in, would put him 18-under.
POSSIBLE TROUBLE FOR THE LEADER?
The leaders are on the par 3 16th and, after McIlroy finds the green, Bridgeman produces one of his worst swings of the week, with it landing in the bunker.
To make matters worse, it lands and finishes on the downslope, leaving the American a tough up-and-down for par.
THIS ISN'T OVER
We are far from finished...
Finding the bunker at the 16th, Bridgeman is forced to play out to the center of the green, with his second finishing 40-foot from the flag.
It's not a guaranteed two-putt and, up ahead, Kitayama makes a birdie at the 17th to move within two.
THE LEAD IS ONE
It's a great par attempt from Bridgeman, who sees his 40-footer just slide by the right-side.
He is forced to wait, as McIlroy hits his birdie putt. That attempt comes up inches short, as he remains 15-under.
Back to Bridgeman, who converts for bogey and is now 18-under, just one ahead of Kitayama.
FAIRWAYS FOUND
Stunning tee shots from Kitayama and Bridgeman at the 18th and 17th, with both men pounding their drives.
For Kitayama, he is playing the 18th and sees his tee shot go 327 yards down the middle. Bridgeman, meanwhile, strikes his ball 317 yards and will have a good look at making a birdie at the par 5 17th.
BIRDIE PUTT COMING UP
From 175 yards, Kitayama pulls his approach at the 18th, leaving himself a 33-footer for birdie, which he will, likely, have to hole.
SECOND SHOT OF BRIDGEMAN'S
He's left with 290 yards in at the par 5 17th and, with a fairway wood in hand, Bridgeman pushes his shot right and into the greenside bunker.
It's well back of the lip, but it's a lengthy bunker shot coming up for the American, who is also 35 yards back of the flag and partly short-sided.
McIlroy, meanwhile, also finds the bunker, but he's much further up and should have an easier shot.
TARGET SET
Kitayama makes a par at the last and fires a seven-under 64. He sets the target at 17-under-par, and will wait to see what Bridgeman does over the closing stages.
BUNKER SHOTS FROM THE FINAL PAIR
Bridgeman is up first and, with his wedge, it's not a bad shot from the American, but he is 35-foot away and faces another tough two putt.
McIlroy, meanwhile, plays a gorgeous bunker shot and taps in for the birdie. He moves to 16-under, two back of Bridgeman.
BRIDGEMAN ONE UP GOING DOWN THE LAST
TEE SHOTS AT THE 18TH
McIlroy is up first and, as expected, his drive is bombed down the middle, with Bridgeman following close behind him.
Excellent tee shots from both men, who will have around 180-190 yards in at the 18th.
SPIETH'S REACTION IN REAL TIME
😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/ZCEsoF1ZD5February 22, 2026
GOOD WEEK FOR POTGIETER
The 21-year-old has struggled at the start of the season, but Potgieter pars the last for a 15-under tournament total, which puts him solo fifth.
WHAT A SHOT FROM THE LEADER
What a swing from Bridgeman at the 18th! Leaving 200 yards in, the American's approach is down the flag and comes up 20 feet short. He'll have two putts for the win.
BIRDIE AT THE LAST FOR RORY
He's not holed a putt all day but, at the 18th, McIlroy gets the ball to drop and he finishes 17-under! A case of what could have been for the 36-year-old, whose wait for a win at Riviera continues.
JACOB BRIDGEMAN WINS THE GENESIS INVITATIONAL
A TWO PUTT AT THE LAST
Striking his birdie attempt, Bridgeman's putt at the last comes up three-feet short.
It's a knee-knocker but, like every other putt today, Bridgeman rams it home and claims his first PGA Tour title in front of Tiger Woods. What a performance from the 26-year-old!
THE WINNING MOMENT
A dream realized. Jacob Bridgeman is a PGA TOUR winner for the first time @TheGenesisInv. pic.twitter.com/eXJuSRUu2WFebruary 22, 2026
WORDS FROM THE CHAMPION
“This is way, way better than I’ve ever dreamt it.” Jacob Bridgeman’s dreams of winning on the PGA TOUR come true at Riviera. @Amanda_Balionis pic.twitter.com/xGzQmVTsxvFebruary 22, 2026
A HANDSHAKE WITH THE HOST
The handshake every golfer dreams of 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Yb8NdUbPb1February 22, 2026
SCENES ON 18 FROM RORY
Rory made things interesting on 18 👀 pic.twitter.com/83dMfV0fyVFebruary 22, 2026
YOUR GENESIS INVITATIONAL CHAMP
