American golfer Jacob Bridgeman won the Biltmore Championship in Asheville, North Carolina, after shooting a final-round 61 to secure a two-stroke victory.
The 26-year-old world No 29 overturned a five-shot deficit on Sunday at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, finishing at 26 under par to claim his second PGA Tour title of the year.
Bridgeman finished two shots clear of compatriot Ben James, who also carded a final-round 61. Bridgeman was one of three players in the field to shoot a 61 or lower on Sunday.
The PGA Tour is the premier professional golf circuit in North America, featuring weekly tournaments across the United States and internationally. The Biltmore Championship took place at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, a championship golf course located in the Blue Ridge Mountains region near Asheville.
Final round charge
Bridgeman made a fast start to his final round, birdying three of his opening four holes. He then holed a 10-foot putt for eagle on the par-five eighth hole to reach five under for the day.
After picking up another shot with a birdie at the 10th hole, Bridgeman posted three more birdies in a row from the 13th to 15th holes. That scoring run brought him within reach of a sub-60 round on the PGA Tour.
He needed to play his final three holes in three under par to break 60 for the first time in his career. A birdie at the par-five 17th and a closing par on the 18th completed his bogey-free 61, featuring an eagle and eight birdies.
Shooting a score below 60 is considered one of the rarest feats in professional golf. Only a small group of players have ever recorded a 59 or lower during official PGA Tour competition.
Presidents Cup boost
The victory provides a significant form boost for Bridgeman as he prepares to make his debut for Team USA at the Presidents Cup. Bridgeman was selected as one of captain Brandt Snedeker's picks to face the International Team at Medinah.
"It's a dream come true," Bridgeman said about representing Team USA.
"There is so much individualness in this sport, but to be able to play as a team and the United States is just amazing," he said. "Everybody is pumped. It's getting really real. We're all getting super excited!"
The Presidents Cup is a biennial team golf competition matching a 12-man team from the United States against an International Team representing the rest of the world outside Europe. Medinah Country Club, located near Chicago, Illinois, is a historically famous venue that has hosted major championships and international team events.
Bridgeman previously won the Genesis Invitational in February, a signature event on the PGA Tour schedule played at Riviera Country Club in California. His win in North Carolina makes him a multiple PGA Tour winner in 2026.
Chasing a 59
American JT Poston came even closer to history on Sunday, carding a 60 to jump into a share of fifth place alongside Jackson Koivun, who will also feature in the Presidents Cup. Poston two-putted from 25 feet for par on his final hole to complete his round.
"At the end of the day it was a great round of golf, a new career low out here," Poston said. "As much as I would like to shoot that magical 59 number, which I've never done, there are so many positives to take away."
Overnight leader Neal Shipley finished three strokes behind Bridgeman in a tie for third place alongside Ricky Castillo. Ireland's Seamus Power finished six shots off the lead in a share of seventh.
England's Marco Penge, a notable absentee from the DP World Tour's BMW PGA Championship, finished in a share of 10th place after closing with a final-round 67.
The DP World Tour is Europe's primary professional golf tour. Its flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, is held annually at Wentworth Club in Surrey, England, drawing top international players.
What comes next
The Presidents Cup begins on Thursday, with all four days of competition between the United States and the International Team broadcast live starting at 5pm on Sky Sports Golf.
