The final, full weekend in February promises to be the last light one for a long time. Nearly every major professional circuit used this week for travel between distant locales. The PGA and DP World tours were the exceptions, and each provided more than enough excitement to satisfy golf fans around the globe. In Kenya, the unanticipated hero was native Kenyan Njoroge Kibugu. Playing in front of his homeland fans, Kibugu made eagle at the 36th hole to make the cut, ultimately finishing tied for 61st after a final-round 65. Only his Saturday 74 kept him away from the limelight. In Los Angeles, golfers with everything to gain, made runs from back in the pack. At the same time, the leader did his best to steady the wheel. Both winners had this in common: it was their first tour triumph, respectively, on the DP World and PGA Tours. Pull up a seat and take some notes, as we reveal this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

PGA Tour @ Genesis Invitational: Bridgeman finds a way

The Jacob Bridgeman that we saw on Sunday at Riviera, was not the heroic immortal of the first 54 holes. That first Bridgeman collected three eagles and nineteen birdies, en route to a three-round total of 19-under par at storied Riviera Country Club. Perhaps the ghost of Ben Hogan was restless, perhaps not, but Hogan’s Alley was reduced in difficulty, despite the debut of its 273-yard, par-three fourth hole. Bridgeman posted rounds of 66-64-64 to take a six-shot lead over Rory McIlroy.

Chasing your first PGA Tour title is difficult. Attempting to collect it at an architectural gem is even more demanding. Doing so in the company of the greatest golfer of his generation, is daunting. The Jacob Bridgeman that showed up Sunday was the precise model we expected to see: not nearly as confident nor as effective as the previous model. Did we expect him to win going away? Absolutely not. Did we expect him to win? Well…no, we did not. Did he win? Yes indeed, he did.

Bridgeman began the day in wondrous fashion. He notched birdies at the first and third holes, to reach 21-deep on the week. McIlroy lost a stroke over those two holes, but he knew what everyone else suspected: 15 holes remained, and reality would soon set in. Over the next 15 holes, Bridgeman amassed zero birdies, stumbling three times for bogey. During that period, Adam Scott posted eight-under 63 (his second of the week) to move to fourth position. McIlory held steady with 67, moving to 17-under par. Joining him at that figure was Kurt Kitayama, who signed for 64.

Bridgeman nearly wiffed a wedge at the short, par-three 16th, and did well to make bogey. He failed to score a birdie at the gettable 17th, meaning he needed par at the harrowing 18th. After finding the fairway with his tee shot (no easy task) Bridgeman ripped an iron 200 yards onto the putting surface, about 20 feet from the promised land. His first putt was tentative, leaving nearly four feet for the victory. Somehow, some way, Bridgeman coaxed the ball into the hole for his first-ever, PGA Tour victory.

Bridgeman’s Gear Bag

The Taylor Made Qi35 LS sits neatly inside the largest headcover in Bridgeman’s bag. The popular drive set the eventual winner up for many of his 24 sub-par holes this week. When it comes to fairway metals, Bridgeman tinkers on the regular. He has included various Taylor Made models, from Qi4D to Stealth to Qi35. Lofts range from 3-metal to 7-metal, depending on the demands of the course. For irons three through five, Bridgeman goes for forgiveness with the P770 model. For the scoring clubs (six iron through pitching wedge) he beckons to the P7CB. Three more wedges (MG5 model all) at degrees of 50, 54, and 60) complete the airborn portion of the set. Interestingly, Bridgeman uses Project X shafts in all irons save the 60 degree, which sports a Dynamic Gold stick. After runs with a Bettinardi and a Cameron, Bridgeman settled on a Taylor Made Spider Tour. As a golf ball, Bridgeman games the TP5X from Taylor Made.

DP World Tour @ Magical Kenya Open: Jarvis jars it

Casey Jarvis and Angel Ayora are separated by 15 months in age. Both are exciting young professional golfers, seeking success and renown. The two entered the final round of the Magical Kenya Open in a first-position tie, at 17 shots below par. On Sunday in Nairobi, Jarvis put on a clinic, posting six birdies and two eagles, against a pair of bogeys. Ayora not only failed to keep pace; he wasn’t in the same flight. The Spaniard struggled all day, making just three birdies alongside a double and single bogey.

Jarvis’ demiurgic conclusion laid waste to any hopes that Davis Bryant and his coterie of chasers held. With Ayora away at even par and a solo eighth-place finish, Bryant and Hennie Du Plessis made a gallant charge up the leaders’ board, posting 64 and 65, respectively. Bryant laid claim to second position, while Du Plessis settled for third. As for Jarvis, he reached the 17th tee at 22-under par, and left the 18th green at 25-deep. His approach to the par-four 17th settled a dozen feet below the hole, and the South African gently rolled the orb into the cup. On eighteen, a reachable par five conclusion, his second shot finished another dozen feet from glory. With three putts for outright victory, Jarvis took but one, winning by three shots over Bryant.

Casey’s Kit

Tracking down Casey Jarvis’ club equipment kit was trickier than anticipated. Fortunately for me, my editor is a super sleuth. Thanks, BA, for the big assist. Off the tee, the MKO champions relied on a Taylor Made Qi4D LS driver to attach the 14 fairways. Jarvis also has a mini-driver in his bag, an R7 Quad at 13.5 degrees loft. Jarvis also employs a Qi4D 3 metal at 16.5 degrees and a Qi35 7 metal at 21 degrees. One of the few players to both front-load and back-load his set, Jarvis has but five numbered irons (5-9) in his bag, all Taylor Made. The 5 is a P770, while 6 through PW are P7CB. For wedges, Jarvis has three MG5 Taylor Made wedges, set at 50 (SB), 54 (SB), and 60 (SC) degrees. Rolling his Taylor Made TP5x ball is a Taylor Made Spider Tour putter.