With a 6-shot lead in the Genesis, Bridgeman won’t play safe

PACIFIC PALISADES — A week ago, Jacob Bridgeman was standing in the water off the 18th tee at Pebble Beach. Now he seems destined to be standing near the 18th green at Riviera with a victory.

Bridgeman, 26, grabbed the Genesis tournament in a three-hole burst, Saturday, going birdie, eagle, birdie on the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth holes. That boosted him into a six-shot lead with only Sunday’s final round at left to play. And we often refer to Greg Norman tossing away a six-shot margin in the 1996 Masters. It’s not going to happen again.

Bridgeman is going to go after his first PGA tour victory as aggressively as his alma mater, Clemson, might go after a football win. 

“I’m not going to play safe,” said Bridgeman. “I would say overall I’m very aggressively conservative, and for whatever reason, when I try to aim away from the target, I feel like most of the time the ball just starts to go towards the hole.” 

Bridgeman shot his second straight 7-under par 64 to destroy any chance that the Genesis would be competitive. His 54-hole total of 194 left second-place Rory McIlroy—who merely has won all four majors—wondering, like the rest of us, whether the Genesis is over.

“It’s nice to be playing in the last group,” said McIlroy. seeking a positive spin. “If he opens the door slightly, hopefully I’ll be right there to take advantage of it.” 

In third at 201 is Aldrich Potgieter after a 65. Adam Scott, a two-time Riviera champion, shot 72 and is at 205. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler, winless these opening weeks of the 2026 season, is at 208, after a 72 today. 

Nine holes into the afternoon round, Bridgeman was tied for second with McIlroy, Aaron Rai, and Zander Schauffele. That placement didn’t last long, Bridgeman going 3-3-3 on the 10th, 11th, and 12th. Suddenly, there was a space between Jacob and everyone else.

“In the past, I have had trouble with poa,” Bridgeman said of the turf used on coastal courses. ‘I had to make an adjustment mid-round. I have to hit the balls a little softer. They are not taking a break. After that, I feel like I hit a lot of good putts.”

Experience has taught Bridgeman that he doesn’t have to be perfect because golf is a game of imperfection. 

“In my rookie year (2024), I think my goal every week was to finish top-10, and then I got there, and I started playing well, and I’m like ‘oh man, I might have a chance to win.’”

A six-shot lead after three rounds? Oh man, he has more than a chance.