Jacob Bridgeman shares message from Tiger Woods after winning the Genesis Invitational.

Jacob Bridgeman made history by winning the Genesis Invitational at the iconic Riviera Country Club in California, and he couldn’t be more radiant as he displayed his shiny trophy following his victory on Sunday. This triumph marks Bridgeman’s first win on the PGA Tour, where he finished the final day with a 1-over 72, surpassing heavyweights like Rory McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama.

But what truly made this moment unforgettable was the congratulation from his childhood idol, Tiger Woods, who is also the tournament host. In a video released by Golf Digest, Bridgeman revealed the inspiring words from the legendary golfer, who has never managed to win this event. “I don’t know what he said when I first walked up the hill. But on the way down, he was talking about how amazing it was to see the amphitheater, all the people, how spectacular the 18th hole is, and he told me, ‘You beat me.’ So, I guess he’s never won here,” Bridgeman shared with a laugh. “I have one thing. He has all the others, but I have one.”

A friendly rivalry is palpable, and a tweet from Golf Digest humorously illustrated the situation: “Victories at Riviera: Jacob Bridgeman: 1, Tiger Woods: 0.” Woods, now 50 years old, has a long history with the Genesis Invitational, but the title has always eluded him. His best finish was a second place in 1998 and 1999.

Bridgeman, 26, clearly gained new motivation with this victory, especially with Woods witnessing his achievement up close. Although he kept his composure in the final round, he did not hide that meeting the 15-time major champion was “a little more nerve-wracking.” “When I was growing up, my earliest memory of golf was watching him on TV. When he was at his peak, I was learning to talk, walk, and play golf. I’m still kind of in shock about him,” Bridgeman added in a report by Adam Schupak from Golfweek.

Now, with Woods’ recognition and a $4 million prize in hand, the pressure seems to have eased for Bridgeman, who can finally breathe a sigh of relief, knowing he is in the sights of one of the greatest in golf history. This is just the beginning of a promising career for the young golfer, who is sure to continue impressing on the professional circuit.