Monster birdie on last not enough as McIlroy misses out on Genesis by a shot

The Irishman's closing 66 at Riviera piled the pressure on American Jacob Bridgeman and a huge closing putt increased it further but the 26-year-old clung on for a maiden tour win

DO ME A FAVOUR: Rory McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, flips his club after missing a putt on the third green during the final round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

A monster birdie putt on the 72nd hole wasn't enough for Rory McIlroy to seal a most unlikely victory at the Genesis Invitational on Sunday night as Jacob Bridgeman claimed the first victory of his PGA Tour career. 

The 26-year-old American won by the slimmest margin on -18 to seal a triumph at the Riviera club in Los Angeles but had to hold his nerve all the way as a one-over 72 brought the chasing pack within a whisper of Bridgeman.