Genesis Invitational 2026: A Final Round Showdown at Riviera
The 2026 Genesis Invitational is reaching its climax at the iconic Riviera Country Club. Sunday, February 22nd, promises a captivating final round as Jacob Bridgeman aims to secure his first PGA Tour victory, while Rory McIlroy looks to mount a comeback and add another prestigious title to his resume. The tournament has already delivered moments of brilliance, and the final day is shaping up to be unforgettable.
Bridgeman’s Commanding Lead
Just a week after a viral moment at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Jacob Bridgeman finds himself in a dream position. The Clemson product enters the final round with a remarkable six-shot lead over McIlroy. Bridgeman’s stellar performance on Saturday, a 7-under 64, propelled him ahead of competitors like Aldrich Potgieter and Xander Schauffele.
Bridgeman’s exceptional approach play was a key factor in his success. He gained an astounding 6.013 strokes on approach during the third round, highlighted by a stunning 7-wood shot from 258 yards on the par-5 11th, leaving him just inches from the hole for an easy eagle.
“It was, fun and easy,” Bridgeman said. “Kind of the best that the golf world ever gets. My swing felt nice and it was fun out there, everyone was cheering, so yeah, it was a good day.”
McIlroy’s Pursuit and the Challenge Ahead
Despite the significant gap, McIlroy remains a formidable opponent. Known for his aggressive play and ability to go low, he’ll be looking to conquer Riviera, a course that demands precision and strategic thinking. Bridgeman is aware of the challenge.
“I think maybe the only thing would be I know he’s going to play well tomorrow. I know that I can’t back up at all,” Bridgeman acknowledged.
How to Watch the Final Round
Don’t miss the action! Here’s how you can follow the final round of the Genesis Invitational:
- TV: Golf Channel (1-3 p.m. ET) and CBS (3-6:30 p.m. ET)
- Streaming: PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ (exclusive early coverage beginning at 9:45 a.m. ET), featured group and featured hole coverage.
Sunday’s Tee Times & Groupings
| Tee No. 1 | |
|---|---|
| 10:05 a.m. | Sepp Straka |
| 10:10 a.m. | Brian Harman, Matt Schmid |
| 10:20 a.m. | Ryo Hisatsuna, Andrew Novak |
| 10:30 a.m. | Taylor Pendrith, Denny McCarthy |
| 10:40 a.m. | Sami Valimaki, Rickie Fowler |
| 10:50 a.m. | Viktor Hovland, Ben Griffin |
| 11:00 a.m. | Harris English, Jhonattan Vegas |
| 11:10 a.m. | Corey Conners, Ryan Gerard |
| 11:20 a.m. | Si Woo Kim, Nick Taylor |
| 11:30 a.m. | Shane Lowry, Patrick Rodgers |
| 11:45 a.m. | Max Homa, Hideki Matsuyama |
| 11:55 a.m. | Tony Finau, Ludvig Aberg |
| 12:05 p.m. | Sam Stevens, Sahith Theegala |
| 12:15 p.m. | Matt McCarty, Min Woo Lee |
| 12:25 p.m. | Robert MacIntyre, Tom Kim |
| 12:35 p.m. | Matt Fitzpatrick, Scottie Scheffler |
| 12:45 p.m. | Jordan Spieth, Wyndham Clark |
| 12:55 p.m. | Collin Morikawa, Pierceson Coody |
| 1:05 p.m. | Patrick Cantlay, Alex Noren |
| 1:15 p.m. | Cameron Young, Akshay Bhatia |
| 1:30 p.m. | Tommy Fleetwood, Adam Scott |
| 1:40 p.m. | Jake Knapp, Ryan Fox |
| 1:50 p.m. | Marco Penge, Max Greyserman |
| 2:00 p.m. | Xander Schauffele, Kurt Kitayama |
| 2:10 p.m. | Aldrich Potgieter, Aaron Rai |
| 2:20 p.m. | Jacob Bridgeman, Rory McIlroy |
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The Genesis Invitational promises a thrilling finish. Will Bridgeman maintain his composure and secure the win, or will McIlroy’s experience and determination lead him to victory? Tune in to find out!
Golf.com Editor Josh Schrock is a writer and reporter for Golf.com.
