Jacob Bridgeman heads into this week’s Presidents Cup debut as a two-time PGA Tour champion after storming to an impressive two-shot win at the Biltmore Championship.
Bridgeman, named among Brandt Snedeker’s captain’s picks for Team USA to face the International Team at Medinah, overturned a five-shot deficit during a low-scoring final day in Asheville, North Carolina.
The world No 29 raced through the field by carding 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 was one of three players to shoot 61 or lower on Sunday
Bridgeman, 26, birdied three of his opening four holes and holed from 10 feet to eagle the par-five eighth, before picking up a shot at the 10th and posting three more in a row from the 13th.
He needed to play his last three holes in three under to card his first sub-60 round on the PGA Tour, but a birdie at the par-five 17th and closing par was enough for a second PGA Tour win of the year.
“It’s a dream come true,” Bridgeman said about representing Team USA, live from Thursday on Sky Sports. “There is so much individualness in this sport, but to be able to play as a team and the United States is just amazing.
“Everybody is pumped. It’s getting really real. We’re all getting super excited!”
Overnight leader Neal Shipley finished three strokes back in tied-third alongside Ricky Castillo, with fellow American JT Poston narrowly missing out on a ’59 round’ as he jumped into a share of fifth alongside Jackson Koivun, who will also feature in the Presidents Cup.
“At the end of the day it was a great round of golf, a new career low out here,” Poston said, having two-putted from 25 feet to par his final hole as he carded a 60. “As much as I would like to shoot that magical 59 number, which I’ve never done, there are so many positives to take away.”
Ireland’s Seamus Power ended six strokes back in a share of seventh, with England’s Marco Penge – a notable absentee from the DP World Tour’s BMW PGA Championship – finishing in a share of 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 stream golf and more with no contract.
