Jacob Bridgeman, former Clemson star, makes Masters debut as new face of SC golf

Dustin Johnson plays on the LIV Golf circuit these days and has mostly dropped out of the spotlight. Lucas Glover is coming off shoulder surgery, never a good situation and especially not for a 46-year-old golfer. Kevin Kisner is transitioning from his PGA Tour competition into his high-profile role with NBC’s golf telecasts.

Sound the trumpet and prepare for a new day. There’s a changing of the guard at the top of South Carolina’s contingent in golf’s major league.

Who’s next? Nominations, please.

South Carolina Junior Golf Association: Jacob Bridgeman, who won or came close to winning practically every event once upon a time.

College golf: Jacob Bridgeman, whose name litters the record book at Clemson and his achievements include a second-place finish in the PGA Tour’s 2022 University Ranking for seniors.

Professional golf: Jacob Bridgeman, who is on a rocket ride toward the PGA Tour’s top echelon.

Skeptics might question the small sample size in the latter category, but those who know Jacob Bridgeman and his golf best have no doubts.

Indeed, who is this guy whose signature is success?

Great First Impression

Larry Penley could have planned to mow the lawn that Saturday morning. Or wash his car. Or, shucks, he could have just relaxed and took the day off to get away from the pressures of his job, overseeing Clemson’s high-powered golf program.

But he answered the call. Tommy Biershenk, the caller ID said.

Biershenk, a former Clemson player who made the PGA Tour for a brief spell, taught golf around Inman-Spartanburg area, both then and now, and often informed his former coach of a prospect with potential.

“He told me, ‘You ought to go over to the Jimmy Self (junior tournament) at Greenwood Country Club and see what you think of Jacob.’ I went, and I’m glad I did,” Penley said.

“Jacob” turned out to be Jacob Bridgeman, of course, and he put on a show that left Penley, now retired after his Hall of Fame career, amazed.

“He didn’t miss a fairway or a green,” Penley remembered. “The greens weren’t very good, and he still shot like 70, 69. It didn’t take me long to see I wanted him to play for me.”

Fast forward through Bridgeman’s four years at Clemson and, now at age 26, in the early days of his fourth professional season and there he is — teeing off in his first Masters.

“He won’t be fazed,” Penley promised.

And he wasn’t, opening the Masters on Thursday with a 1-under-par 71.

Great Expectations

Need an illustration for a man on a mission? Bridgeman — small-town youngster from Inman, South Carolina — is the guy.

Consider this timeline: He finished Clemson eligibility with a basketful of honors in 2022, earned PGA Tour status for the following year with his Korn Ferry Tour performance in ’23, adjusted to the major leagues and kept his card by placing 123rd in the season-long FedEx Cup standings in ’24, and zoomed in ’25, jumping to No. 27 in FedEx points and to 63 in the world rankings.

That’s just for starters.

He stepped to the tee at Augusta National on Thursday ranked No. 1 in FedEx points and No. 18 in the world during his sizzling 2026 — a win in the prestigious Genesis Invitational, three other top-10 finishes and nothing worse than a tie for 18th in eight starts.

“I wish I could take credit, but Tommy taught him the fundaments, and he’s expanded on what I taught him,” Penley said. “To his credit, he’s made the simplest and most minute changes. His coach (Scott Hamilton) put in some little things and they’ve all come together.

“He’s matured. He knows what he can and can’t do. Most guys play their best ages 30-33, but he’s figured it out five years early. Golf is a game of maturity and patience, and he’s a very mature young man.”

The key to Bridgeman’s success, Biershenk said, “is his work ethic; it’s second to none.” And that led to having great expectations for his pupil.

“I kinda did (see his success), but I didn’t see it this quickly,” he said. “I saw right away I had a lot to work with. Jacob is blessed with talent and he wants to succeed. The PGA Tour is a hard road; I can tell you from experience. But Jacob is comfortable and he knows he belongs.”

Biershenk made one change, giving Bridgeman a drill to flatten his backswing.

Bingo!

“He adjusted in a couple of weeks,” the teaching pro said, “and he started winning everything, maybe six tournaments in a row.

“He’s very confident. He believes in himself and you have to believe. I teach a lot of kids who can’t get the job done when you hand them a scorecard. Scottie Scheffler looks so calm because he knows what he is capable of. Jacob’s the same way; there’s no turning back for Jacob, and I believe he will win again this year. He has all the tools.”

Yes, he does, Penley said.

“He broke out his junior year and in one tournament, he played the best golf I’ve ever watched,” the coach said. “He shot 65-68 and he didn’t miss a shot. He was pure.

“He’s sneaky long, and he’s so good with the four-, five- and six-irons. And he putts so good.”

How good?

He’s No. 1 on the PGA Tour and Kevin Kisner, among the Tour’s best on the greens, said, “If you want to putt better, watch Jacob Bridgeman.”

‘Total College Experience’ at Clemson

Tim Bourret, long-time sports information director at Clemson, has seen the good and bad in college athletes for more than 40 years and appreciates Bridgeman for more than his golf skills.

“He’s a throwback, a four-year guy in college,” Bourret said. “ACC golf student of the year twice. ACC MVP and scholar athlete of the year. He did the total college experience.”

And his interaction with athletes ranged beyond Clemson golfers. Remember the television scene from The Players Championship in which the big guy with the long hair embraced Bridgeman? It was Trevor Lawrence, of course, the former Tigers quarterback now with the Jacksonville Jaguars. And the many congratulatory notes following his Genesis triumph included one from Dabo Swinney.

“He was fully engaged in school and earned his degree,” Bourret said. “He’s all you want to represent your school and your program.”

Sounds like a man who should be the face of South Carolina golf.

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This story was originally published April 10, 2026 at 7:09 AM with the headline "Jacob Bridgeman, former Clemson star, makes Masters debut as new face of SC golf."