Johnson Wagner explains how Jacob Bridgeman reminds him of Scottie Scheffler

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Johnson Wagner has jokingly apologised after making a comparison between Scottie Scheffler and the PGA Tour’s latest winner Jacob Bridgeman.

The West Coast Swing on the PGA Tour concluded with Jacob Bridgeman winning the Genesis Invitational at Riviera. Despite the pressure of playing with Rory McIlroy, the 26-year-old was largely comfortable until the final stages of Sunday’s round.

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Bridgeman now leads the FedEx Cup having finished in the top 20 in all five of his starts this season. He has ended both of the signature events so far on 18 under par.

With that, he looks to be yet another PGA Tour youngster with an incredibly high ceiling.

Jacob Bridgeman compared with Scottie Scheffler after winning the Genesis Invitational

Speaking on CBS Sports, Johnson Wagner picked out Bridgeman as the biggest surprise from the opening weeks of the season.

And he went on to explain why he already reminds him slightly of Scottie Scheffler.

“In his second year on the PGA Tour, he finishes in the top 30. A lot of people would take a step back, maybe not quite work so hard. You’ve sort of reached the top of the mountain without winning,” he said.

“For him this year, it was after Memphis when the greens were so firm that he decided, knowing that he was going to be in all the major championships, he needed to get a spinnier golf ball to be able to compete on the firm greens and the toughest conditions. For him to make the changes that he’s making, getting in the gym, getting with Scott Hamilton and working as hard as he has to get there, I don’t think we’re going to see Jacob Bridgeman go anywhere.

“He’s almost got, and I’m sorry I’m going to do this, but he’s almost got the Scottie Scheffler work ethic where he is going to leave no stone unturned and he’s going to get every single thing out of his game.”

Where Jacob Bridgeman can still improve despite a brilliant start to the PGA Tour season

Bridgeman’s task will now be ensuring that he continues to kick on. The PGA Tour is becoming more and more ruthless, so he cannot afford to become complacent.

His approach play has been superb in the early stages of this season. But he could certainly improve off the tee if he wants to move on to that next level.

Bridgeman is reasonably close to the middle of the pack when it comes to driving distance – 67th – and driving accuracy – 89th – so far in 2026.

It also appears that his short game is not where it needs to be, but he deserves enormous credit for the improvement he has made with his approach play.

And if his work ethic is on a similar level to Scottie Scheffler, then perhaps it should come as no surprise if he manages to improve further in the weeks ahead.