LOS ANGELES – Jacob Bridgeman carded a stunning 7-under 64 on Saturday at the Genesis Invitational, extending his lead to six strokes over Rory McIlroy heading into Sunday’s final round at Riviera Country Club.
Bridgeman, 26, sits at 19-under 194 for the tournament, putting him within striking distance of Lanny Wadkins’ 1985 record of 20-under 264. The Clemson University graduate demonstrated a remarkable performance, opening with birdies on two of the first three holes and capitalizing on a 7-wood shot to within 30 inches on the par-4 fourth.
The turning point of Bridgeman’s round came on the back nine, where he strung together a remarkable birdie-eagle-birdie sequence. He used a 7-wood to position himself for an eagle on the par-5 11th, and then sunk a 12-foot birdie putt on the challenging 12th hole to build his commanding lead. He nearly extended his advantage further, missing a 6-foot birdie putt on the 18th green.
McIlroy, despite a cautious approach on the fast and undulating greens, managed a round of 69. He finished with seven consecutive pars, acknowledging the difficulty of closing the gap on Bridgeman. “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.”
McIlroy’s experience in overcoming significant deficits is notable; he rallied to defeat Scottie Scheffler in the 2023 Tour Championship to secure the FedEx Cup. He is one of nine players on the PGA Tour to have won a tournament when trailing by six strokes after 54 holes.
Marco Penge and Bridgeman had initially shared the lead after Friday’s second round, both posting 7-under 64s. Penge, a DP World Tour player earning a PGA TOUR card this year, secured his position with five birdies in his final seven holes, whereas navigating personal challenges as his wife prepares for the birth of their second child.
The Genesis Invitational boasts a $20 million purse, adding further significance to the final round. Bridgeman is seeking his first PGA Tour title, while McIlroy aims to add another victory to his decorated career.
