Jacob Bridgeman heads into this week’s Presidents Cup debut as a two-time PGA Tour champion after cruising to an impressive two-stroke victory at the Biltmore Championship.
Bridgeman, named among Brandt Snedeker’s captain’s picks for Team USA to face the International Team in Medinah, overturned a five-shot deficit during a low-scoring finals day in Asheville, North Carolina.
The world number 29 raced through the field to card an eagle and eight birdies during a bogey-free 61 at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, lifting him to 26 under and two shots clear of compatriot Ben James, who matched his 61.
Bridgeman, 26, bogeyed three of his opening four holes and went from 10 feet to eagle the par-five eighth before getting a bogey at the 10th and posting three more in a row from the 13th.
He needed to play his final three holes in three-under to post his first PGA Tour round of sub-60, but a birdie on the par-5 17th and closing par was enough for a second PGA Tour win of the year.
“It’s a dream come true,” Bridgeman said of representing Team USA. live from Thursday on Sky Sports. “There is so much individuality in this sport, but to be able to play as a team and the United States is just amazing.
“Everybody’s pumped. It’s getting really real. We’re all getting really excited!”
Overnight leader Neal Shipley finished three shots in a tie for third along with Ricky Castillo, with fellow American JT Poston narrowly missing out on a round of 59 after he was tied for fifth along with Jackson Koivu, who will also play in the Presidents Cup.
“At the end of the day it was a great round of golf, a new career low here,” Poston said after two-putting from 25 feet on his final hole as he shot a 60. “As much as I’d like to shoot that magical 59, which I never did, there are so many positives to take away.”
Ireland’s Seamus Power finished six shots back at the seventh, with England’s Marco Penge – a notable absence at the BMW PGA Championship of the DP World Tour – finishing in a tie for 10th after a final-round 67.
Who will win the Presidents Cup? Watch the United States take on the International Team exclusively live on Sky Sports, with all four days live from Thursday at 5pm on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports OR golf stream and more contract free.
