Jacob Bridgeman revealed what his interaction was like with Tiger Woods after his win -Credit:Getty Images
(Getty Images)
Jacob Bridgeman earned his first PGA Tour win at the 2026 Genesis Invitational, where the 26-year-old forgot Tiger Woods would be waiting for him on the 18th green.
Bridgeman made his Masters debut this 2026 season, carding a T-41 finish and noting that his favorite part of the entire event was watching the kids run around during the Par 3 contest. Before that, the Clemson product walked up the fairway of 18 and eventually became the 13th first-time winner at the Genesis Invitational and first since 2015.
In the immediate aftermath of the win, which landed him the top $4 million winners’ purse and came weeks after announcing “life-changing” news, he grabbed a photo with legendary golfer and tournament host Tiger Woods after he sunk the final putt.
“I didn’t know where he was,” Bridgeman told Mirror US Sports, referring to Woods, after he also laid out his stance on LIV Golf stars returning to the PGA Tour if the Saudi-funded league collapses.
• Rory McIlroy loses $1.9 million of Masters prize money just days after Augusta National win
• Influencer ‘canceled’ for Masters outfit controversy hits back at critics
“I didn’t look. I had forgotten he was going to be there until I walked up the stairs and saw him at the top. I couldn’t really look at him until I got up there.”
Bridgeman held at least a share of the lead after each round and converted a six-stroke 54-hole lead into a one-stroke victory over Kurt Kitayama and 2026 Masters champion Rory McIlroy.
“It was special. I knew I was going to win at some point, but I didn’t know my first one would be his event. Winning in front of the best player ever is pretty cool,” he added.
Jacob Bridgeman forgot Tiger Woods was present at the Genesis invitational -Credit:Getty Images
It wasn’t their first interaction, but it would be the first that Woods would remember.
“I met him a few times when I was young, a junior, in the midst of 50 other juniors at the Sage Valley Junior Invitational, the Junior Presidents Cup. First time I remember,” said Bridgeman.
Not only was Bridgeman beyond excited to be winning the Woods’ hosted tournament and taking home the first place prize $4,000,000 and a signature event trophy, but he was in disbelief.
“I was clearly in shock after I won,” said Bridgeman.
• MLB umpire brutally assaulted in attempted robbery while working in Philadelphia
• Former LIV Golf star details final days as rumors swirl of Saudi outfit’s demise
“I was walking up the stairs and met him at the top. I was standing there talking to him, and after a second he knew I didn’t really know what to do. He goes, “Hey man, go sign your card. That’s what’s really important.””
Now, with Woods’ current absence on the PGA Tour after flipping his car and being arrested for DUI suspicion, Bridgeman can only hope the 15-time major winner can get back to business and helping out the American circuit.
“He’s a very important figure in our sport and our league,” said Bridgeman. “He does a lot for the PGA Tour. He always has, even when he was playing. Now in a leadership role, he does a ton for us. We definitely need him back. Hopefully in the near future he’ll be back and helping us out because his opinion and decisions are very valuable to us.”