LOS ANGELES — Jacob Bridgeman turned heads at the Genesis Invitational on Saturday, firing a flawless 7-under 64 to surge into a commanding six-shot lead over Rory McIlroy heading into the final round at Riviera Country Club.
Playing in the final group of the day, the 26-year-old from Clemson started the third round tied for the lead but quickly pulled away with a birdie-eagle-birdie stretch on the back nine. Bridgeman's total now stands at 19-under 194, putting him on the cusp of breaking the PGA Tour's longest-standing 72-hole scoring record of 20-under 264, set by Lanny Wadkins in 1985.
"It was fun and easy, kind of the best that the golf world ever gets," Bridgeman said after his round. "My swing felt nice and it was fun out there. Everyone was cheering, so yeah, it was a good day."
Bridgeman's performance was a masterclass in precision. He opened with birdies on two of the first three holes and then dazzled on the par-3 fourth, where he stuck a 7-wood from 262 yards to just 30 inches for another birdie. His highlight came on the par-5 11th, when he launched another 7-wood from 259 yards that cleared a ridge and landed 8 inches from the cup for an eagle. The shot drew such loud cheers that Bridgeman initially thought it had gone in.
Entering the back nine with a two-shot advantage, Bridgeman extended his lead with a chip 6-iron to 12 feet on the challenging 12th hole, converting the birdie putt to go six clear. He finished strong but missed a 6-foot birdie on the 18th, settling for seven birdies overall. The only blemish was a missed drive on the par-4 eighth that found the barranca dividing the fairways.
"To be doing this on this stage at Riviera is a dream," Bridgeman added, reflecting on the significance of his play at the historic course.
While Bridgeman stole the show, much of the gallery followed Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, the two major winners who combined for seven big titles. McIlroy, seeking his first victory of the season, played cautiously on Riviera's fast and bumpy greens in the late afternoon, carding a 1-under 69 with seven straight pars to close. He now sits at 13-under, six shots back.
"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, who has a history of dramatic comebacks, noted his own experience in similar spots. He is one of nine players on the PGA Tour to have won from a six-shot deficit after 54 holes, including a rally to beat Scottie Scheffler in the 2023 Tour Championship to claim the FedEx Cup. "I'm six back," McIlroy said. "I need to get off to a fast start, try to apply some pressure and hopefully I can do that."
This marks the second time Bridgeman and McIlroy will be paired together on a Sunday, having played the final round at the BMW Championship last year, where Bridgeman held his nerve to qualify for the Tour Championship. They also teed it up in the second round at East Lake. "I know he's going to play well tomorrow. I know that I can't back up at all," Bridgeman said. "But I think I feel comfortable. I was a little bit uncertain how it would be last year when I played with him in the playoffs. And I had a big day in Baltimore -- I had to play good to make the Tour Championship and I was paired with Rory and it was kind of a lot."
"I think if it was my first time maybe it would be a little unsettling," he continued. "But now I'm not worried about it."
Bridgeman, who turned pro after a standout college career at Clemson, is chasing his first PGA Tour victory. His steady ascent includes strong finishes in the playoffs last year, but Saturday's round elevated him to new heights on one of golf's most prestigious stages. The Genesis Invitational, hosted by Tiger Woods' foundation, draws top talent to the tree-lined layout of Riviera, known for its challenging greens and strategic demands.
Behind the leaders, Aaron Rai fired a 66 to reach 11-under, eight shots off the pace. Xander Schauffele, who started the day close to the lead, struggled with the greens, missing four short birdie putts in a round that left him further back. "The greens so severe that every short putt required so much attention," according to reports from the event.
Marco Penge of England, who shared the 36-hole lead with Bridgeman, faltered with a 74 and dropped to 9-under, 10 shots behind. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 who barely made the cut, posted his best round at Riviera with a 66 but remains 14 strokes back at 5-under. Scheffler's focus now is extending his streak of 18 consecutive top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour.
The tournament, part of the PGA Tour's elite Signature Events, offers a $20 million purse and valuable FedEx Cup points. With gorgeous weather forecast for Sunday, Bridgeman has ideal conditions to claim his maiden win and etch his name in Riviera lore. McIlroy, meanwhile, will look to channel his comeback magic in the final pairing, setting the stage for a compelling showdown between the surging newcomer and the established star.
As the sun set on another day at the storied course, all eyes turned to the final round, where Bridgeman's poise will be tested against McIlroy's pedigree. The outcome could reshape narratives in the early 2024 season, highlighting the depth of talent on the PGA Tour.