Robbie Cannon was in a fourball with Shane Lowry at The Grove XXIII, a small corner of paradise tucked away on the outskirts of Hobe Sound in Florida.
Making his tournament debut, Bridgeman carded four birdies on the back nine, the last at No. 17, to pull even with McIlroy at five-under, and parred the 18th to take the clubhouse lead. The 26-year-old South Carolinian is ranked 52nd - the highest he has been since turning pro four years ago - but has never won on the Tour.