Jacob Bridgeman’s rise through the game has gone from being an SCJGA standout, and now, a moment that changes everything.
The former Clemson Tiger and Inman native earned his first PGA Tour victory Sunday at the Genesis Invitational, closing with a final round one over par 72 to secure a one shot win at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.
“This is way, way better than I've ever dreamt it,” Bridgeman said. “I always thought I would do it, kind of expected to do it but until it happens I didn't think it was real. I'm really proud.”
Bridgeman’s victory marks a major milestone in a career that began shining brightly in South Carolina junior golf. Competing in SCJGA events as a junior, he quickly established himself as one of the state’s top young players before continuing his development at Clemson University.
Now 26 years old, Bridgeman is in his third full season on the PGA Tour, having earned his card beginning in the 2023 to 24 season. As a rookie in 2024, he recorded 10 top 25 finishes, then took another leap forward last season with four top five finishes, highlighted by a tie for second at the Cognizant Classic and a solo third at the Valspar Championship.
His momentum has only continued into 2026. Through four starts this season, Bridgeman has made every cut and has yet to finish outside the top 20. He opened the year with a fourth place finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii, followed by a tie for eighth at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am last week.
That consistency put him in position at Riviera, but the closing stretch tested him more than he expected.
It also was tougher than he imagined as his lead evaporated on the back nine.
“I thought it was going to be a lot easier than that,” Bridgeman said. “It was honestly easy until I got to about 16 and then it got really hard. Yeah, I can't believe it. 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.”
The win gives Bridgeman a championship to add to a growing PGA Tour résumé that now includes more than 65 career starts, multiple top 10 finishes, and a long awaited first victory at one of the Tour’s premier events.
For the SCJGA community, Bridgeman’s breakthrough serves as another powerful example of where junior golf in South Carolina can lead. From state events to college success, and ultimately, to the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour.
The former Clemson Tiger and Inman native earned his first PGA Tour victory Sunday at the Genesis Invitational, closing with a final round one over par 72 to secure a one shot win at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.
“This is way, way better than I've ever dreamt it,” Bridgeman said. “I always thought I would do it, kind of expected to do it but until it happens I didn't think it was real. I'm really proud.”
Bridgeman’s victory marks a major milestone in a career that began shining brightly in South Carolina junior golf. Competing in SCJGA events as a junior, he quickly established himself as one of the state’s top young players before continuing his development at Clemson University.
Now 26 years old, Bridgeman is in his third full season on the PGA Tour, having earned his card beginning in the 2023 to 24 season. As a rookie in 2024, he recorded 10 top 25 finishes, then took another leap forward last season with four top five finishes, highlighted by a tie for second at the Cognizant Classic and a solo third at the Valspar Championship.
His momentum has only continued into 2026. Through four starts this season, Bridgeman has made every cut and has yet to finish outside the top 20. He opened the year with a fourth place finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii, followed by a tie for eighth at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am last week.
That consistency put him in position at Riviera, but the closing stretch tested him more than he expected.
It also was tougher than he imagined as his lead evaporated on the back nine.
“I thought it was going to be a lot easier than that,” Bridgeman said. “It was honestly easy until I got to about 16 and then it got really hard. Yeah, I can't believe it. 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.”
The win gives Bridgeman a championship to add to a growing PGA Tour résumé that now includes more than 65 career starts, multiple top 10 finishes, and a long awaited first victory at one of the Tour’s premier events.
For the SCJGA community, Bridgeman’s breakthrough serves as another powerful example of where junior golf in South Carolina can lead. From state events to college success, and ultimately, to the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour.
