Latest news with #JacobBridgeman
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jacob Bridgeman an example that having a PGA Tour card is enough to earn the way
His rookie year on the PGA Tour was challenging enough for Jacob Bridgeman. He got in 20 tournaments, none of them majors or The Players Championship, $20 million signature events or the FedEx Cup playoffs. He played seven times in the fall and did just well enough to keep his heart rate down and his ranking inside the top 125 to keep his card. And then the PGA Tour approved a plan during the final week of 2024 to reduce the number of players keeping their cards to 100. Gulp. 'I think it makes it tougher and tougher on the rookies,' Bridgeman said. 'I feel like my rookie year was really hard, and this one was probably harder because there were less cards." Bridgeman said he was neutral toward the change. The purpose was to make sure anyone who had a card could get into enough tournaments, and smaller fields in 2026 would keep rounds from not finishing because of darkness. And yes, it would be more competitive than ever. Camilo Villegas was chairman of Player Advisory Council that proposed the changes and acknowledged it would be harder to keep a card. 'But if we perform, there's an opportunity to make an unbelievable living," Villegas said. Bridgeman performed. He spoke Monday evening from Memphis, Tennessee, the first of three playoff events that determine the FedEx Cup champion. Bridgeman is No. 33 in the FedEx Cup, all but assured of staying in the top 50 to advance to the BMW Championship that will get him in all eight of the $20 million signature events next year. The ultimate goal — East Lake for the Tour Championship — is well within range. He is among 21 players at the TPC Southwind who did not make it to the postseason a year ago, all of them earning their way into the top 70. Bridgeman began his sophomore season without assurances of being in any of the majors or the signature events. He closed with a 64 at the Cognizant Classic for a runner-up finish, getting him into Bay Hill and The Players Championship. He slept on the lead the opening three rounds at the Valspar Championship and finished third, getting him into another signature event at the RBC Heritage. He was among the last three players off the FedEx Cup to fill the field at the Truist Championship and tied for fourth, and his standing also got him into the U.S. Open. Bridgeman wound up playing five signature events, two majors and The Players. He felt it was a disadvantage at the start. It turned into a big year that isn't over just yet. 'Not being in those at the beginning of the year was tough,' Bridgeman said. 'I went through that last year. I knew how that was and played past all that and still kept my card. I felt like it was a disadvantage, for sure, but not that it was unattainable. 'I just knew if I played well I'd have a chance," he said. 'That was one my goals is playing a signature event early. I got in the Arnold Palmer and rode the wave all the way through.' That's how it has been for the 25-year-old Bridgeman. He was No. 2 in the PGA Tour University his senior year at Clemson, which got him Korn Ferry Tour status. He spent 2023 on the developmental circuit and graduated to the PGA Tour. Bridgeman wrote down his goals for 2025, big and small, in a journal. The main goal was to win. He's still waiting on that. He wanted at least four top 10s (check), make it to the FedEx Cup playoffs (check), get into the top 50 (one week away from another check) and get to East Lake for the Tour Championship. 'It's been nice to be able to check some of them off,' he said. Being in all the signature events is an advantage, but not a guarantee. Fourteen players who finished in the top 50 last year failed to make it to the postseason, three of them because of injury — Billy Horschel, Will Zalatoris and Alex Noren. Three players who were not among the top 50 last year — U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun, Harris English and Ben Griffin — start the postseason in the top 10. The turnover rate for those who qualified for the FedEx Cup playoffs was at 30% — 21 players finished in the top 70 who weren't in Memphis last year. That list includes multiple winners (Ryan Fox and Brian Campbell), first-time winners (Ryan Gerard and Chris Gotterup), and veterans who got their games headed in the right direction (Rickie Fowler and Lucas Glover). And then there's players like Bridgeman, Sam Stevens and Michael Kim, who started with nothing more than a card and now have realistic hopes of East Lake. The signature events were a source of consternation when they were first introduced, mainly the uncertainty of a level playing field. J.T. Poston said it best at the start of 2023, and it still rings true today. 'As long as there's a way you still have to perform to stay in, and there's an avenue for guys who aren't in to play their way in, I don't think there's an issue,' Poston said. Turns out it wasn't for Bridgeman. ___ On The Fringe analyzes the biggest topics in golf during the season. ___ AP golf:
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Jacob Bridgeman an example that having a PGA Tour card is enough to earn the way
His rookie year on the PGA Tour was challenging enough for Jacob Bridgeman. He got in 20 tournaments, none of them majors or The Players Championship, $20 million signature events or the FedEx Cup playoffs. He played seven times in the fall and did just well enough to keep his heart rate down and his ranking inside the top 125 to keep his card. And then the PGA Tour approved a plan during the final week of 2024 to reduce the number of players keeping their cards to 100. Gulp. 'I think it makes it tougher and tougher on the rookies,' Bridgeman said. 'I feel like my rookie year was really hard, and this one was probably harder because there were less cards.' Bridgeman said he was neutral toward the change. The purpose was to make sure anyone who had a card could get into enough tournaments, and smaller fields in 2026 would keep rounds from not finishing because of darkness. And yes, it would be more competitive than ever. Camilo Villegas was chairman of Player Advisory Council that proposed the changes and acknowledged it would be harder to keep a card. 'But if we perform, there's an opportunity to make an unbelievable living,' Villegas said. Bridgeman performed. He spoke Monday evening from Memphis, Tennessee, the first of three playoff events that determine the FedEx Cup champion. Bridgeman is No. 33 in the FedEx Cup, all but assured of staying in the top 50 to advance to the BMW Championship that will get him in all eight of the $20 million signature events next year. The ultimate goal — East Lake for the Tour Championship — is well within range. He is among 21 players at the TPC Southwind who did not make it to the postseason a year ago, all of them earning their way into the top 70. Bridgeman began his sophomore season without assurances of being in any of the majors or the signature events. He closed with a 64 at the Cognizant Classic for a runner-up finish, getting him into Bay Hill and The Players Championship. He slept on the lead the opening three rounds at the Valspar Championship and finished third, getting him into another signature event at the RBC Heritage. He was among the last three players off the FedEx Cup to fill the field at the Truist Championship and tied for fourth, and his standing also got him into the U.S. Open. Bridgeman wound up playing five signature events, two majors and The Players. He felt it was a disadvantage at the start. It turned into a big year that isn't over just yet. 'Not being in those at the beginning of the year was tough,' Bridgeman said. 'I went through that last year. I knew how that was and played past all that and still kept my card. I felt like it was a disadvantage, for sure, but not that it was unattainable. 'I just knew if I played well I'd have a chance,' he said. 'That was one my goals is playing a signature event early. I got in the Arnold Palmer and rode the wave all the way through.' That's how it has been for the 25-year-old Bridgeman. He was No. 2 in the PGA Tour University his senior year at Clemson, which got him Korn Ferry Tour status. He spent 2023 on the developmental circuit and graduated to the PGA Tour. Bridgeman wrote down his goals for 2025, big and small, in a journal. The main goal was to win. He's still waiting on that. He wanted at least four top 10s (check), make it to the FedEx Cup playoffs (check), get into the top 50 (one week away from another check) and get to East Lake for the Tour Championship. 'It's been nice to be able to check some of them off,' he said. Being in all the signature events is an advantage, but not a guarantee. Fourteen players who finished in the top 50 last year failed to make it to the postseason, three of them because of injury — Billy Horschel, Will Zalatoris and Alex Noren. Three players who were not among the top 50 last year — U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun, Harris English and Ben Griffin — start the postseason in the top 10. The turnover rate for those who qualified for the FedEx Cup playoffs was at 30% — 21 players finished in the top 70 who weren't in Memphis last year. That list includes multiple winners (Ryan Fox and Brian Campbell), first-time winners (Ryan Gerard and Chris Gotterup), and veterans who got their games headed in the right direction (Rickie Fowler and Lucas Glover). And then there's players like Bridgeman, Sam Stevens and Michael Kim, who started with nothing more than a card and now have realistic hopes of East Lake. The signature events were a source of consternation when they were first introduced, mainly the uncertainty of a level playing field. J.T. Poston said it best at the start of 2023, and it still rings true today. 'As long as there's a way you still have to perform to stay in, and there's an avenue for guys who aren't in to play their way in, I don't think there's an issue,' Poston said. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Turns out it wasn't for Bridgeman. ___ On The Fringe analyzes the biggest topics in golf during the season. ___ AP golf:
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Jacob Bridgeman an example that having a PGA Tour card is enough to earn the way
His rookie year on the PGA Tour was challenging enough for Jacob Bridgeman. He got in 20 tournaments, none of them majors or The Players Championship, $20 million signature events or the FedEx Cup playoffs. He played seven times in the fall and did just well enough to keep his heart rate down and his ranking inside the top 125 to keep his card. And then the PGA Tour approved a plan during the final week of 2024 to reduce the number of players keeping their cards to 100. Gulp. 'I think it makes it tougher and tougher on the rookies,' Bridgeman said. 'I feel like my rookie year was really hard, and this one was probably harder because there were less cards.' Bridgeman said he was neutral toward the change. The purpose was to make sure anyone who had a card could get into enough tournaments, and smaller fields in 2026 would keep rounds from not finishing because of darkness. And yes, it would be more competitive than ever. Camilo Villegas was chairman of Player Advisory Council that proposed the changes and acknowledged it would be harder to keep a card. 'But if we perform, there's an opportunity to make an unbelievable living,' Villegas said. Bridgeman performed. He spoke Monday evening from Memphis, Tennessee, the first of three playoff events that determine the FedEx Cup champion. Bridgeman is No. 33 in the FedEx Cup, all but assured of staying in the top 50 to advance to the BMW Championship that will get him in all eight of the $20 million signature events next year. The ultimate goal — East Lake for the Tour Championship — is well within range. He is among 21 players at the TPC Southwind who did not make it to the postseason a year ago, all of them earning their way into the top 70. Bridgeman began his sophomore season without assurances of being in any of the majors or the signature events. He closed with a 64 at the Cognizant Classic for a runner-up finish, getting him into Bay Hill and The Players Championship. He slept on the lead the opening three rounds at the Valspar Championship and finished third, getting him into another signature event at the RBC Heritage. He was among the last three players off the FedEx Cup to fill the field at the Truist Championship and tied for fourth, and his standing also got him into the U.S. Open. Bridgeman wound up playing five signature events, two majors and The Players. He felt it was a disadvantage at the start. It turned into a big year that isn't over just yet. 'Not being in those at the beginning of the year was tough,' Bridgeman said. 'I went through that last year. I knew how that was and played past all that and still kept my card. I felt like it was a disadvantage, for sure, but not that it was unattainable. 'I just knew if I played well I'd have a chance,' he said. 'That was one my goals is playing a signature event early. I got in the Arnold Palmer and rode the wave all the way through.' That's how it has been for the 25-year-old Bridgeman. He was No. 2 in the PGA Tour University his senior year at Clemson, which got him Korn Ferry Tour status. He spent 2023 on the developmental circuit and graduated to the PGA Tour. Bridgeman wrote down his goals for 2025, big and small, in a journal. The main goal was to win. He's still waiting on that. He wanted at least four top 10s (check), make it to the FedEx Cup playoffs (check), get into the top 50 (one week away from another check) and get to East Lake for the Tour Championship. 'It's been nice to be able to check some of them off,' he said. Being in all the signature events is an advantage, but not a guarantee. Fourteen players who finished in the top 50 last year failed to make it to the postseason, three of them because of injury — Billy Horschel, Will Zalatoris and Alex Noren. Three players who were not among the top 50 last year — U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun, Harris English and Ben Griffin — start the postseason in the top 10. The turnover rate for those who qualified for the FedEx Cup playoffs was at 30% — 21 players finished in the top 70 who weren't in Memphis last year. That list includes multiple winners (Ryan Fox and Brian Campbell), first-time winners (Ryan Gerard and Chris Gotterup), and veterans who got their games headed in the right direction (Rickie Fowler and Lucas Glover). And then there's players like Bridgeman, Sam Stevens and Michael Kim, who started with nothing more than a card and now have realistic hopes of East Lake. The signature events were a source of consternation when they were first introduced, mainly the uncertainty of a level playing field. J.T. Poston said it best at the start of 2023, and it still rings true today. 'As long as there's a way you still have to perform to stay in, and there's an avenue for guys who aren't in to play their way in, I don't think there's an issue,' Poston said. Turns out it wasn't for Bridgeman. ___ On The Fringe analyzes the biggest topics in golf during the season. ___ AP golf:
Fox News
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
French golfer Victor Perez makes history at US Open with rare ace
Victor Perez's time on the notoriously challenging Oakmont golf course Friday proved to be memorable. The French golfer carded a rare ace during second-round competition at the U.S. Open. It was just the second hole-in-one on record in a U.S. Open at Pennsylvania's Oakmont Country Club. Perez aced on the par-3 sixth hole Friday, using a 7-iron to hit the shot from 192 yards. The ball bounced a few times before eventually rolling roughly three feet into the cup. An animated Perez raised his arms before giving his caddie a chest bump. Perez also celebrated with his playing partners, Adam Schenk and Jacob Bridgeman, as spectators applauded. Perez admitted nailing an ace isn't solely based on skill. "Obviously, a hole-in-one takes a little bit of luck," Perez said. "Honestly, I was trying to hit something maybe 15-20 feet past the hole. Maybe it spun a little more and bounced in. I was a little fortunate, which I'll definitely take." According to Perez, it was the ninth ace of his career. He said he made two in the Bahamas — at his home course — but no one could corroborate it because he was playing alone at the time. "They didn't believe me at home because I was playing by myself," Perez said. "Now, they'll know." The last known ace when Oakmont hosted a U.S. Open happened in 1983. Scott Simpson carded an ace that year on the 16th hole in the first round. The ace helped Perez recover from a rough second-round start. He ended the second round in a tie for sixth place at 1-over. Sam Burns ended the day at the top of the leaderboard at 3-under. Burns finished last year's U.S. Open in a tie for ninth place. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jacob Bridgeman Climbs Leaderboard on Moving Day at Memorial
Jacob Bridgeman Climbs Leaderboard on Moving Day at Memorial originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former Clemson standout Jacob Bridgeman is making his presence felt at Jack Nicklaus's Muirfield Village, carding a steady 1-under 71 on a challenging "Moving Day" Saturday at the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday. The Inman, South Carolina native, a decorated Tiger during his collegiate career, has climbed into the top 10, positioning himself for a potentially lucrative Sunday finish at one of the PGA TOUR's signature events. © Aaron Doster-Imagn Images Bridgeman, who entered the day at even par after rounds of 73 and 71, navigated the notoriously tough Muirfield Village layout with composure. While others battled the demanding course, the young pro put together a solid round that included a timely birdie on the par-5 15th, showcasing the talent that saw him become Clemson's career leader in rounds in the 60s and a multiple All-American. Advertisement His 1-under par performance in the third round moved him to 1-under for the tournament, tied for 9th as he walked off the 18th green. While not the lowest round of the day – Sepp Straka, for instance, fired a blistering 6-under 66 – Bridgeman's steady hand kept him moving in the right direction on a day when big numbers lurked around every corner. This strong showing isn't a complete surprise to those who followed his stellar Clemson career. Bridgeman was a force for the Tigers, earning ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors twice and etching his name in the Clemson record books with five collegiate victories, tying legends like D.J. Trahan and Chris Patton. That pedigree is now being tested against the world's best on one of golf's grandest stages. Muirfield Village, Jack Nicklaus's masterpiece, is known for its immaculate conditioning and stern test of every facet of a player's game. For a young player like Bridgeman, who turned pro in 2022, a strong performance here, against a field featuring the likes of Scottie Scheffler and defending champion (from 2024, as per search results) Ben Griffin, is a significant step. He'll enter Sunday looking to continue his ascent, drawing on the experience gained from a celebrated amateur and collegiate career that prepared him for moments like these. Clemson fans will undoubtedly be tuning in, hoping to see their former Tiger roar on Sunday at the Memorial. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
