Rory McIlroy is in second place but six shots behind leader Jacob Bridgeman going into the final round of The Genesis Invitational on Sunday.
McIlroy is targeting a first title of the season at the Riviera Country Club and while he is in second place after the third round, has plenty of ground to make up on Bridgeman.
After shooting 69 with three birdies and one bogey, McIlroy finished on 13 under par after Saturday’s action. But it was Bridgeman who was in control of the leaderboard.
Even with a chance at a birdie on the 18th hole missed, Bridgeman shot 64 to close out his third round on 19 under par and a commanding lead.
Jacob Bridgeman has built a healthy lead. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman )
“It was so hard, the greens got so fast and they’re soft and they get a little bumpy later on in the day,” McIlroy said afterwards.
“I was proud of myself. I sort of hung in there. I stayed as patient as I could. I wish I was a couple closer to the lead.
“I’ve given myself a chance. That’s all I can ask for. It’s not as big of a chance as I think I would like.
“I’d love to win here,” he added. “I’m going to play my hardest tomorrow and we’ll see what happens.”
McIlroy is among nine players on the PGA Tour who have won when the 54-hole lead was six shots. He rallied to beat Scottie Scheffler in the Tour Championship in 2023 to win the FedEx Cup.
Bridgeman, who missed a six-foot birdie putt on the final hole, didn’t have a chance to feel any weekend nerves with his fast start. He really only missed one drive, on the par-four eighth, when he hit into the middle of the barranca that divides the fairways.
“To be doing this on this stage at Riviera is a dream,” Bridgeman said.
Xander Schauffele at 10 under was tied in fifth with Marco Penge one shot back from him.
Scottie Scheffler, who made the cut on the number, finished about the time the last group teed off. He shot a 66, his lowest round at Riviera, and was 14 shots behind. Scheffler’s only hope was to try to extend his streak of top 10s on the PGA Tour to 19.
Watch round four of The Genesis Invitational live on Sky Sports Golf from 3.15pm on Saturday with coverage also picking up on Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30pm. Stream golf contract-free.
Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland
