HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – The 52 steps leading to the Riviera Country Club clubhouse felt endless for Jacob Bridgeman in February, his mind still processing what had just transpired. The 26-year-old had captured his first PGA Tour victory at the Genesis Invitational, but it wasn't until he reached the top that reality truly set in.
Waiting to greet him was Tiger Woods, the tournament host and 15-time major champion. The moment crystallized just how far Bridgeman had come from his humble beginnings in South Carolina.
"It was special," Bridgeman recalled on Wednesday ahead of the RBC Heritage. "I was in shock and after we talked for a second or two I think he realized that I didn't know what I was supposed to do and he said, 'Go sign your scorecard.'"
That victory launched what has become a remarkable breakout season for the South Carolina native. Bridgeman has made the cut in all nine starts this year, recording three additional top-5 finishes that tie him for second-most on Tour, trailing only world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler by one.
His consistency has been extraordinary. Until his T-41 finish at the Masters last week – his first result outside the top 18 this season – Bridgeman had been virtually unstoppable. The impressive run has positioned him third in the FedEx Cup standings.
"It's been even better than I would have dreamed it to be," he said.
Bridgeman's journey began in the Palmetto State's Upstate region, where he learned the game at Woodfin Ridge Golf Course in Inman, just north of Spartanburg. His early inspiration came from an unlikely source: Tommy Biershenk, a pro golfer who had limited PGA Tour experience but made a lasting impact on the young player.
Biershenk played one full season on the PGA Tour in 2012 and made 152 career starts on the Korn Ferry Tour. When he returned home between tournaments, Bridgeman and fellow aspiring pro Trent Phillips would eagerly call him for playing opportunities.
The veteran recognized something special in Bridgeman's game. "I knew that as long as he kept working on it that he was going to make it," Biershenk said.
More than technical instruction, Biershenk emphasized the mental aspects of professional golf. While Bridgeman's putting was always his strongest suit, his mentor focused on building psychological resilience for the Tour's inevitable challenges.
"He always said there are a lot more losses than wins and he said he saw in me that I had the mental game to get there," Bridgeman recalled.
Biershenk's own Tour experience provided valuable lessons in what not to do. During his lone season on Tour, he played conservatively, focused on making cuts rather than contending for victories. "I told him don't do what I did," Biershenk said.
Under Biershenk's guidance, Bridgeman refined his technique, flattening an overly steep backswing and improving his shot dispersion. The work paid dividends at Clemson University, where Bridgeman became an All-American and captured the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference title along with Player of the Year honors.
Two years ago, Bridgeman transitioned to working with instructor Scott Hamilton, who travels the Tour with a stable of professional players. Despite the change, he maintains one key element from his early training – a pre-round drill involving a head cover tucked under his armpit that Biershenk taught him to prevent steep swings.
Bridgeman's putting prowess has reached new heights this season, ranking first on Tour in Strokes Gained: Putting. The transformation began two years ago when he switched from a traditional blade putter to a TaylorMade Spider mallet design.
The change happened almost by accident. During the 2024 3M Open, while his caddie made a 28-hour drive from California to Minnesota due to airline disruptions from an internet blackout, Bridgeman grew restless waiting and decided to experiment with the mallet-head putter.
Now, as he returns to his home state for the RBC Heritage, Bridgeman carries the confidence of a proven winner and the putting stroke that has elevated him to Tour stardom. With Hilton Head Island providing familiar surroundings, the breakout star will look to add another strong result to his remarkable season.