Jacob Bridgeman absolutely torched the course this week, making the decision to play ahead of his Presidents Cup debut look like a stroke of genius. While other big names like Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young opted to chill out, Bridgeman was out there proving he’s ready for the big stage, dropping a ridiculous bogey-free 61 in the final round of the PGA Tour’s Biltmore Championship Asheville. This guy was the top-ranked player in the field and played exactly like it, heading into his first biennial competition feeling unstoppable. Brendon de Jonge from Golf Channel nailed it on the broadcast: “Guys are going to be lining up to play with him next week.”
Team USA Vibes: Who’s Heating Up, Who’s Sitting Out
Bridgeman wasn’t the only American showing out. We saw 21-year-old phenom Jackson Koivun, straight out of Auburn, looking incredibly sharp all week. The kid finished T-5 at 21 under par, capping it off with a 65 that included birdies on three of his last four holes, just a day after shooting a 63. Koivun is the first player since Jordan Spieth back in 2013 to be 21 or younger and competing for Team USA in the Presidents Cup, which is just wild. Talk about a confident debutant!
But it wasn’t all sunshine and birdies for the US side. Justin Thomas, a captain’s pick just like Bridgeman and Koivun, was slated to headline the Asheville tournament. Instead, he pulled out the Sunday before it even started, with no reason given for the last-minute change. He last played at the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship, so it’s not like he’s been completely off the radar. Chris Gotterup, Patrick Cantlay, and Xander Schauffele also decided to skip playing this week, clearly preferring to rest up. Let’s hope Thomas’s time off means he’s recharged and ready to go for the Cup.
International Squad Check-In: Aussie Fire, Kiwi Charge, and Some Red Flags
Over on the International team, Adam Scott, making his twelfth straight appearance, is coming in red hot. The Aussie legend tied for second at the BMW PGA Championship, continuing a streak of five consecutive starts where he’s finished T-16 or better. That kind of consistent form is exactly what Captain Geoff Ogilvy will need from Scott in Chicago. Ryan Fox, the Champion Golfer of the Year, also had a solid tune-up, charging up the leaderboard at Wentworth on Sunday’s front nine before hitting a snag on the back. He shot his third 68 of the week and finished T-6, a good showing for the Kiwi ahead of his Presidents Cup debut.
It wasn’t all good news, though. Corey Conners from Canada started strong at the Biltmore Championship but never really got into contention. He did find a nice rhythm with a final-round 64 and said he feels “the game is heading in the right direction,” which is promising. Fellow Canadian Nick Taylor posted bookend 67s but sandwiched them with a couple of 70s for a T-57 finish. Captain Ogilvy is going to need some serious clutch putting from Taylor. Nico Echavarria from Colombia had a tough week, struggling with fairways and a shaky short game, finishing with rounds of 73 and 75. His press conference was apparently the highlight, and he’ll definitely need to step it up. And Japan’s rising star Ryo Hisatsune, who had a phenomenal 21-straight cuts made this season, has now missed the cut in his last two starts. That’s a real head-scratcher and not the kind of momentum you want going into such a big event.
The Presidents Cup is just around the corner, and the form these guys are bringing, or searching for, will absolutely dictate how things shake out. Keep an eye on Bridgeman, Koivun, and Scott, because they’re looking like they could be the difference makers.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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