LOS ANGELES -- Jacob Bridgeman turned Moving Day into a coronation march at Riviera Country Club on Saturday, posting a spectacular 7-under 64 to open a commanding six-shot lead over Rory McIlroy heading into the final round of the Genesis Invitational.
In a week that has already produced its share of surprises at the 100th playing of one of golf's most prestigious events, Bridgeman authored the most dramatic chapter yet. His bogey-free masterclass featured seven birdies and an eagle, dismantling a course that has historically humbled the game's greatest players.
The shot of the day -- and perhaps the shot of the tournament -- came at the iconic 262-yard par-3 4th hole. Bridgeman struck a towering 7-wood that tracked toward the flag from the moment it left the clubface, settling inside three feet for a tap-in birdie. It was the kind of shot that separates contenders from pretenders, and it seemed to ignite a run of scoring that left the rest of the $20 million field watching in disbelief.
Rory McIlroy, who finds himself six shots back in second place, will need to summon something extraordinary on Sunday to deny Bridgeman what would be a landmark victory. McIlroy has staged memorable final-round comebacks before, but erasing a six-stroke deficit at Riviera, where conservative course management is often rewarded over aggression, presents a monumental challenge.
The week has been one of stark contrasts at the storied Los Angeles venue. While Bridgeman has risen to the occasion, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler endured a forgettable stretch, posting a career-worst start at the Genesis Invitational earlier in the tournament. Scheffler's struggles only underscore the demanding nature of Riviera Country Club, a course that rewards precision, creativity, and mental fortitude in equal measure.
Bridgeman's third-round 64 was the low score of the day, a statement performance that announced his intentions to a global audience. Moving Day at major-caliber events is where pretenders typically fade and contenders rise, and Bridgeman left no room for ambiguity about which category he belongs in this week.
The Genesis Invitational holds a special place on the PGA Tour calendar, and this year's edition carries even greater significance as the tournament celebrates its 100th playing. Riviera Country Club, with its barranca-lined fairways, elevated greens, and the famous kickboard at the par-4 10th, has hosted some of the most memorable moments in tournament golf. A wire-to-wire victory by Bridgeman on Sunday would add another unforgettable chapter to the event's century-long history.
With a $20 million purse on the line and a star-studded field watching from behind, Bridgeman will step onto the first tee Sunday carrying both the weight of expectation and the comfort of a substantial cushion. Six shots is a significant margin, but the ghosts of collapsed final-round leads loom large in the sport's collective memory.
The question now is whether Bridgeman can maintain the composure and shot-making brilliance that defined his Saturday performance. If the 7-wood at the 4th hole was any indication, he possesses both the talent and the temperament to close the deal. Riviera has seen a century of champions walk its fairways. By Sunday evening, Jacob Bridgeman may well have etched his name alongside them.
Golf
Jacob Bridgeman Seizes Command at Genesis Invitational with Sensational Saturday 64
📅 Published on February 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM