The first day of a golf tournament isn’t typically the most memorable, but this morning (Thursday 2/27), history was made at PGA National. Jake Knapp (who finished tied for 4th at last year’s Cognizant Classic the week after earning his first PGA TOUR win at the Mexico Open) has shot a bogey-free, 12-under-par, 59. With that, Knapp becomes only the 14th player on TOUR to ever play a round under 60 and the first to do it at an event in the state of Florida. He also broke the single-round record for this tournament, which was 61, set by Brian Harman in 2012.
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About Jake Knapp
Known for his effortlessly smooth swing that somehow still generates top-level power, Jake Knapp’s backstory is even more interesting.
Early life:
Knapp grew up in Costa Mesa, California
He graduated from UCLA
He turned pro in 2016
Struggles:
He struggled to prove himself on the lower levels of golf
He lost his Korn Ferry Tour card in 2021
Unsure if he could make it back to the big leagues, he worked as a nightclub bouncer to supplement his income.
In an interview with PGA Tour Insider, Knapp said, "I worked as a nightclub bouncer. After losing status and missing at Q-School in 2021, out of funds, I needed to be away from golf. I needed some responsibility and some perspective on things. I wasn’t aware that (The Country Club, a restaurant in Costa Mesa) turned into a nightclub; I went there to be a barback. They needed a security guy, and I was like, “I don’t know if I’m big enough, but I can stand there and look tough.”
Apparently, the work schedule allowed him the perfect amount of time to practice during the day, because he’s made a roaring start on TOUR.
Breakthrough:
In 2024, his rookie year, he had a breakout season, winning the Mexico Open and tying for third at the Farmers Insurance Open
He also tied for fourth at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches
Can He Keep It Up?
With a first round for the record books, can he keep his foot on the gas to beat out some of the other pros trying to chase him down? We’ll see this weekend.
