Rory McIlroy wrapped up the Genesis Invitational with a solid 67 in the final round, yet it wasn't quite enough to clinch the win. Jacob Bridgeman emerged victorious, finishing just a stroke ahead of both Kurt Kitayama and McIlroy.
On the front nine, McIlroy struggled to gain momentum, repeatedly falling short. When asked about the frustration of seeing his final putt on 18 drop after missing several, McIlroy offered a candid response: “No, not really,” he said. “It probably earned me an extra 400, 500 grand so it's fine.”
That final putt turned out to be worth a hefty $600,000, boosting McIlroy's total earnings from the event to $1.8 million. Despite the financial silver lining, the five-time major champion had some critical reflections on his overall play.
“I just kept plugging away and trying to make something happen,” McIlroy noted. “I felt like I could have made something happen on the front nine if I holed a few putts but I didn't.
It's tough out there, especially when someone like Jacob has a big lead and I'm not applying any pressure. I've been in that position with a lead, and it's easier when the competition isn't closing in.”
Though McIlroy wasn't entirely satisfied with his performance, he was full of praise for Bridgeman. The 26-year-old American, who had a runner-up finish at the Cognizant Classic in 2025, showed poise under pressure.
“I thought he handled everything really well,” McIlroy said. “Closing out big tournaments is tough.
Even though he was a bit shaky towards the end, he held it together when it mattered. That clutch par putt on 13, playing smart on 16 after missing the bunker-those moments were key.
And sinking that final putt with the crowd watching, that's never easy. I give him all the props, he did what he needed to do and I'm happy for him.”
As McIlroy shifts his focus to preparing for the Masters, Bridgeman is gearing up for his next challenge, with the upcoming event set to kick off on Thursday.