PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Jake Knapp had a remarkable start to his Thursday at the Cognizant Classic, achieving five consecutive birdies that signaled a potentially extraordinary round. By the day’s end, he accomplished a feat reserved for golf’s elite.
Knapp, currently ranked 99th in world golf standings, joined the prestigious group of golfers who have managed a round below 60 on the PGA Tour. His impressive bogey-free 59 during the first round at PGA National marked the 15th occasion this has been achieved in tour history. “It’s just one of those days where everything was kind of clicking,” Knapp reflected.
His score was a mere stroke away from the all-time tour low of 58, famously set by Jim Furyk in the 2016 Travelers Championship. Knapp now stands as the 14th player to record such a round since Furyk alone has achieved it twice. Faced with an 18-foot, 8-inch putt for an eagle on the par-5 18th that could have equaled Furyk’s 58, Knapp’s attempt didn’t carry the necessary speed, resulting in a straightforward tap-in that sealed his score of 59.
“We thought about 58,” he admitted, especially after sinking a long birdie putt on the 15th that brought him to 11 under par. “On the 16th tee, I told my caddie, let’s play 2 under for the last three holes,” Knapp shared. Although ultimately finishing with 59, Knapp’s achievement remains noteworthy.
Daniel Berger, who also produced an impressive bogey-free 8-under 63, acknowledged Knapp’s achievement. “I thought I played well,” Berger remarked about his own round, especially given his recovery on the par-5 10th that involved a lost ball and a provisional shot. “But then someone shot 59.”
Knapp’s 12-birdie round surpassed previous records at the Cognizant, previously set at 61. The competition saw records of 62 held by notable players including Tiger Woods and 2012 champion Chris Kirk, but Knapp’s prowess on a calm, defenceless morning at PGA National stole the show.
Even a visit from the local wildlife, as demonstrated by Billy Horschel’s encounter with an alligator on the seventh hole, couldn’t ruffle the players’ composure. With exemplary performances across the field, including scores of 63 from the likes of Berger, Russell Henley, and Sami Valimaki, and a slew of 64s and 65s from others, Knapp’s 59 remained unmatched in ease.
Before Thursday, Knapp’s best performance this year had been a tie for 17th, yet he etched his name into golfing history with this remarkable round. Offering only 98 feet of putts during his play, his accomplishment is a testament to his stellar ball-striking capabilities.
Rickie Fowler highlighted the challenge, saying, “59 anywhere is hard to do. You still have to make putts. You still have to hit it close enough to have those opportunities.”
Knapp, a previous winner on the PGA Tour from last year’s Mexico Open, has only participated in the Cognizant once before, tying for fourth. His reinforced capacity this year demonstrates growth beyond expectations.
“You’ve got to tip your hat to him,” Horschel said of Knapp’s unprecedented round at PGA National. Their post-round encounter was filled with admiration, as Horschel admitted he would have wagered heavily against such a score being possible.
Knapp’s day commenced with five consecutive birdies, highlighted by a brilliant 60-foot chip-in at the par-4 second hole, maintaining momentum through a trio of birdie streaks across other holes. His caddie, Mike Stephens, disclosed their candid discussions about potential outcomes as the round progressed.
“Whether I shot 89 or 59, I’m going to come back out and do my job tomorrow,” Knapp said, embodying a professional athlete’s resilient mindset after marking an exceptional accomplishment.
Though Knapp insists it’s just another day, his 59 is a result worth duly noting on the PGA Tour.
