Bridgeman makes history with President’s Cup selection

By golfclubsc on September 2, 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

Three South Carolina High School state championships, an ACC Individual title and a PGA Tour win at The Genisis Invitational on the PGA Tour all helped Jacob Bridgeman become a Captains Pick for the 2026 Presidents Cup.(File Photos)

by Stan Olenik Editor-Publisher. The Golf Club

by Stan Olenik. Editor-Publisher. The Golf Club

Inman’s Jacob Bridgeman made history Tuesday when he was selected to play for the United States in the 2026 Presidents Cup.

Bridgeman, a Chapman High School graduate and former Clemson All-American, was one of six captain’s selections made by U.S. Team Captain Brandt Snedeker.

His selection completed a journey that began nine years ago when Bridgeman played in the inaugural Junior Presidents Cup. Bridgeman and fellow 2026 selection Jackson Koivun are the first players to advance from the Junior Presidents Cup to the senior U.S. team.

“Jacob has quickly proven himself as one of the brightest young players on Tour,” Snedeker said during the announcement. “What impressed me most wasn’t just his win at Riviera, but the way he continued playing consistent golf throughout the season, ending with a strong finish at the TOUR Championship.

“He’ll bring some new and exciting energy as a first-timer to the team this year.”

Bridgeman’s first PGA Tour victory at The Genesis Invitational in February placed him firmly in contention for a spot on the team.

He held off Rory McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama to win by one shot at Riviera Country Club. It was his first PGA Tour title and came in one of the Tour’s Signature Events against one of the strongest fields of the season.

Bridgeman followed the victory with five other top-10 finishes and ended the season tied for fourth at the TOUR Championship. He earned nearly $10 million in official prize money and finished 12th on the PGA Tour money list.

The strong finish was important because Bridgeman had not earned one of the six automatic qualifying positions. He needed Snedeker to use one of his six captain’s selections to add him to the team.

The captain chose Bridgeman, Koivun, Chris Gotterup, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas to complete the 12-player U.S. roster.

For Upstate golf followers, Bridgeman’s selection adds another chapter to a career they have watched develop from its beginning.

Bridgeman became the first South Carolina boys golfer to win three consecutive individual state high school championships while playing for Chapman. He won the titles by a combined 20 shots.

Playing in the first Junior Presidents Cup Jacob Bridgeman helped wrap up the win for the US team with some clutch putting. (File Photo)

In 2017, Bridgeman and fellow Inman golfer Trent Phillips represented the United States in the inaugural Junior Presidents Cup at Plainfield Country Club in New Jersey.

Bridgeman finished the matches with a 2-1 record, helping the United States defeat the International team, 14-10.

At Clemson, Bridgeman won five tournaments, tying the school career record held by D.J. Trahan and Chris Patton. He won the 2022 ACC individual championship and was named the conference’s Golfer of the Year.

Bridgeman also established the Clemson record for career rounds in the 60s and finished his college career with one of the lowest scoring averages in program history.

After turning professional in 2022, he earned his PGA Tour card through the Korn Ferry Tour and steadily established himself against the best players in the game. His victory at Riviera accelerated that progress and helped make him difficult for Snedeker to leave off the team.