Monday, February 23, 2026 Balls & Bogeys Golf News Edition
Jacob Bridgeman wins Genesis Invitational for maiden PGA Tour victory
– by Adam Schupak / Golfweek
Per Adam: “Sleeping on a six-stroke lead going into the final round of the Genesis Invitational, Jacob Bridgeman couldn’t resist thinking about what it would be like to win his first PGA Tour event. Nor could he ignore the fact that he would be congratulated by the tournament host, none other than Tiger Woods…”
B&B POV: Bridgeman nearly lost the tourney late Sunday afternoon – but he didn’t. And winning the 2026 Genesis Invitational on a glorious Sunday afternoon at Riviera will be a memory he will share with family and friends to the end of days. The next time he’s in a similar position, we predict that he won’t let the field catch him. He has that kind of talent, and his peers, the pundits, and now we fans know it.
Tiger Woods drops latest hint over Masters return
– by Josh Lees / bunkered
Per Josh: “Tiger Woods has confirmed he will be on site at Augusta National for this year’s Masters…”
B&B POV: Similar to when I was a freshman in HS and I thought the senior cheerleader was looking right at me and smiling, making me feel all warm and fuzzy, I watched Tiger Woods say on TV yesterday that he “may” tee it up at the Masters, and possibly even before then at a tune-up tourney. Here is all I ask: If he tees it up, anywhere, he finishes the tournament. Missing the cut is ok. I just don’t think I could handle watching my GOAT crush drop out injured once again.
Photo: Getty Images
Winners, Losers & Payouts from the 2026 The Genesis Invitational
– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: Riviera Country Club doesn’t hand out easy wins. Just ask Tiger, who has never won the LA Open (Genesis), even though his foundation and event management company runs the tourney. No, Riviera exposes nerves, rewards patience, and usually ends with a superstar holding the trophy…
Click the button to view the full payouts:
Photo: Getty Images
What’s In The Bag: Jacob Bridgeman’s Genesis Invitational Winning Setup (2026 Edition)
– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: “Winning at Riviera Country Club usually requires three things: elite ball-striking, especially off the tee, nerves of steel, and at least one moment where you question every life decision you’ve ever made standing over a career-defining back-nine shortie. Bridgeman and his gear delivered Sunday afternoon leading to him lifting the trophy next to tourney host, the goat himself, Tiger Woods, on the 18th green in front of family and hundreds of new fans…”
Click to View Jacob’s Winning Bag >
Photo: Getty Images
LIV Golf’s Saudi funding tops $5 billion, projected to hit $6 billion
– by Adam Schupak / Golfweek
Per Adam:“The Saudi Public Investment Fund’s total investment in LIV Golf has now reached $5.3 billion, following a $266.6 million capital injection approved by Governor Yasir Al Rumayyan on February 1, the newsletter Money in Sports first reported…”
B&B POV: Outside of maybe the LIV Adelaide event, the circuit loses money every week it’s in existence. PIF has now injected $5B in cash to keep the dream alive. There remains no near- or long-term path to profitability. LIV is unquestionably the strongest case study of the worst business practices of any major sports investment, ever.
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