Genesis Invitational: Rory McIlroy finishes one shot behind Genesis winner Jacob Bridgeman
Rory McIlroy shot 4-under-par 67, but this was not enough to leave behind Jacob Bridgeman, who won the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles by one shot.
Northern Irishman McIlroy started the day with a six-shot lead, but despite making five birdies, he could not catch American Bridgeman, who crossed the line with a 1-under-par 72 and finished 18 points behind.
Bridgeman, who had a seven-stroke lead earlier in the day, held back tears at the 18th green before making a 10-foot putt for his first PGA Tour title.
He also became the first person to win this prestigious event in his first tournament since 1975.
Bridgeman’s victory continued his good start to the year with two top-10 finishes in the first four races, including an eighth-place finish at Pebble Beach last week.
The 26-year-old’s three bogies on the final day at Riviera Country Club gave hope to the chasing players; Among them were McIlroy with a score of 7-under-par 64 and countryman Kurt Kitayama, who finished in second place with a score of 17 under.
World number two McIlroy was even on par after the first nine holes, but made four birdies on the back nine; These included putting pressure on Bridgeman by drilling a spectacular hole-in-one from the greenside bunker at the 12th.
Nervously closing out three holes, Bridgeman bogeyed 16 and McIlroy left his putt more than three feet short on 18 after draining the 30-footer to come within one shot of a nervy final putt ahead of tournament host Tiger Woods.
Still, Bridgeman held his nerve and claimed his first PGA Tour title in style, and a victory in one of the Signature Events put him in the top 25 in the world rankings for the first time.
Englishman Tommy Fleetwood finished seventh at 12-under with a four-under-par 67, including a dunk eagle from 173 yards to make it close to 15 points.
World number one Scottie Scheffler produced a fast finish with a 65 that saw him recover from a poor start on Thursday to finish in 12th place.
This marked the end of Scheffler’s amazing streak of 18 consecutive top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour.
British Marco Penge, who was the leader with Bridgeman after the second round, was tied for 16th place with 10 points.
Max Greyserman brought to light another highlight that brightened an otherwise difficult day for him by hole-in-one in the 14th round and making four bogeys and a double-bogey for a 73.
