GOLF.AI • Today

The Tech Behind Bridgeman's Victory

Jacob Bridgeman's thrilling comeback victory at the Biltmore Championship wasn't just a story of final-round heroics; it was the culmination of a meticulous offseason equipment overhaul. In collaboration with TaylorMade, Bridgeman fine-tuned his bag to conquer the exact conditions that previously gave him trouble: the firm, fast greens of the PGA TOUR.

The most pivotal change was a counterintuitive one for a naturally low-spin player: switching to the 2026 TaylorMade TP5x ball specifically to *increase* spin. This adjustment was crucial for holding the firm greens he struggled with during the playoffs. According to TaylorMade Tour Rep Cory Johnson, this switch was made "for him to win on the hardest set ups in golf." The new ball also delivered a welcome bonus, adding an extra 2-3 mph of ball speed with his new driver.

The new ball created a domino effect, allowing Bridgeman to optimize his irons. He reverted his P7CB irons back to their standard lofts after previously weakening them by a degree to generate more spin. His setup showcases a unique blend of old and new, featuring a 12-year-old Tour Preferred UDI driving iron as his 4-iron and a 2022 P770 5-iron. This specific combination was chosen to create a higher launch, ensuring soft landings on long par-3s and approach shots into par-5s—a strategy that proved vital in his final-round 61.