In Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Jake Knapp aims to maintain his momentum as he prepares for the second round of the Cognizant Classic at PGA National on Friday. Following his historic performance on Thursday, where he set a new course record with a remarkable 12-under 59, Knapp enters the day with a comfortable four-stroke lead over competitors Daniel Berger, Russell Henley, and Sami Valimaki.
Knapp joined an exclusive group of golfers with sub-60 rounds on the PGA Tour, achieving the 15th such score in history. Reflecting on his accomplishment, Knapp attributed his success to familiarity with the course and the favorable conditions, noting, “When the wind was down, I knew that it was going to be gettable.” However, with more wind expected on Friday, the challenge may increase significantly.
Players who have experienced similar rounds have faced varying fortunes in subsequent outings. For instance, Jim Furyk, David Duval, and Stuart Appleby all delivered astonishing performances with sub-60 rounds in final rounds of their respective tournaments, achieving notable finishes without needing to play the following day.
Al Geiberger was the first to break the 60-barrier back in 1977 and though he shot a 72 the following round, he managed to secure a tournament victory. Justin Thomas and Brandt Snedeker parlayed their opening-round 59s into tournament wins, showcasing consistent performances throughout.
Paul Goydos and Adam Hadwin also delivered remarkable tournaments following their standout performances. Goydos narrowly missed first place with consistent play, finishing second by two shots at the 2010 John Deere Classic. Similarly, Hadwin’s mesmerizing performance at the CareerBuilder Challenge catapulted him to a second-place finish.
Others like Chip Beck and Jim Furyk found their astonishing rounds contributing to top-10 finishes. Beck’s 1991 Las Vegas Invitational performance landed him tied for third, while Furyk achieved a third-place finish after securing his 2013 BMW Championship 59.
Players such as Scottie Scheffler, Hayden Springer, and Cameron Young have found themselves capturing top honors with their historic 59s, using the momentum to navigate through challenging fields. Springer, in particular, reflected on his July 4th performance at the John Deere Classic as nothing short of exceptional.
Kevin Chappell’s path to a sub-60 round was marked with personal triumph. Following back surgery, his 59 at the 2019 Military Tribute at Greenbrier came as a source of tremendous pride and gratitude, illustrating the personal journey of resilience and determination that often accompanies such performances.
These historical feats echo across the golfing community, setting a standard for aspiration and excellence. As Jake Knapp continues his campaign, the spotlight on PGA National will undoubtedly capture the allure and unpredictability that defines the sport.
