The 7,555-yard course, kept by the most qualified groundskeeping crew in the world, the legendary green jacket ceremony, the tradition and the iconic moments over its 92 years of existence have defined The Masters Tournament.
For Jacob Bridgeman, this week’s edition at Augusta National will mark his first appearance as a competitor, a milestone years in the making for the Clemson alumnus and rising PGA Tour star.
Bridgeman’s opportunity to compete at golf’s most prestigious event represents the culmination of years of steady growth. A native of Inman, South Carolina, the Chapman High School product built one of the most decorated careers in Clemson history.
In February, Bridgeman won the Genesis Invitational and made major headlines with his poise down the stretch, closing with a composed final round. Bridgeman finished the tournament with a 72-hole total of 18-under-par 266 at Riviera Country Club to take home first place. Days after winning, Bridgeman described shaking Tiger Woods’ hand as “the coolest handshake” of his life, a surreal moment that highlighted just how far he’s come.
However, that success comes as no surprise to those familiar with Bridgeman’s collegiate career. During his time at Clemson, Bridgeman rewrote parts of the program’s record book, finishing second in school history in career stroke average at 70.73 and setting a record with 49 rounds in the ’60s. He also tied the program mark with five career victories and recorded 18 top-10 finishes, underscoring a level of consistency rarely matched.
Now, Bridgeman turns his attention to Augusta National. Known for its demanding layout and iconic moments, the course presents a unique challenge, especially for first-time participants like Bridgeman.
“That’s the one that everyone wants to play,” Bridgeman said in an interview with The Smylie Show,” and the one everyone wants to win.”
Bridgeman has played Augusta National twice already as a member of Clemson’s golf team, making this weekend a sort of homecoming to his alma mater.
“I played it twice during college,” he said. “That was kind of our thing at Clemson is you get to play it a couple of times. It’s a special place.”
That familiarity could prove valuable as he prepares for tournament week, particularly when navigating the course’s layout. Still, Bridgeman knows that experience alone won’t guarantee success.
After a successful first round at the 2026 Valspar Championship, the Clemson alumnus broke down his approach to big moments.
“You really have to stay patient out there,” he said. “You can’t force anything, you just have to trust your game and take what the course gives you.”
Preparation has been key leading into the week. Bridgeman has carefully structured his schedule to balance competition, rest and targeted practice.
“I practice like 20 minutes a day with a blade probably,” he said. “I do my stroke stuff, short putts, and then when I put the spaceship in, it feels like I can’t miss.”
With momentum, he will look to continue carving his path, adding, “I just want to go out, compete and enjoy every second of it.”
The prestigious weekend tournament tees off on Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club. Bridgeman is scheduled to tee off on Thursday for the first round of the 90th Masters at 12:27 p.m. On Friday, Bridgeman will take his first drive at 9:02 a.m. for the second round of the tournament.
