PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Jake Knapp made waves on Thursday during the first round of the 2025 Cognizant Classic by shooting an astounding 12-under par 59, which set a course record at the PGA National. This achievement marked the 15th time any golfer has posted a score lower than 60 on the PGA Tour, placing Knapp among golf's elite players.
Knapp leads the tournament by four strokes, finishing the round with 12 birdies and no bogeys, having made birdies on the first through fifth holes, as well as the ninth, tenth, eleventh, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighteenth holes. "I could care less about the number, I just wanted to make as many birdies as I could," Knapp commented after his record-setting round, according to SportsCenter.
After the first round, Knapp found himself at the top of the leaderboard, leading American Russell Henley and Daniel Berger, as well as Finland’s Sami Valimaki, who all finished the round at eight under par. Henley is currently ranked 17th on the Official World Golf Rankings, making his presence significant as he competes near the top.
Reflecting on his performance, Knapp expressed comfort with the golf course, stating, "I like this golf course. I’m comfortable on it. When the wind was down, I knew it was going to be gettable... so I just did my best to do [play aggressively]." This sentiment about the course conditions was echoed by many fans and analysts, who noted the relatively soft greens and lack of wind contributed to his extraordinary low score.
Social media lit up with reactions to Knapp’s performance. PGA Tour Champions shared compliments comparing Knapp’s swing to golfing legend Fred Couples, highlighting the excitement surrounding his achievement. His girlfriend, Makena White, was also present during the round, sharing her joy on Instagram with fans through posts showing her reaction as she exclaimed, "That’s crazy… Dude!" after Knapp's historic putt.
Despite Knapp's incredible start, the challenging conditions on Friday brought new developments. Forecasts indicated increased wind, which often changes the dynamics of play significantly, possibly impacting Knapp's strategy. Returning to the course for the second round, Knapp faced the pressure of following up his remarkable debut with another strong performance.
The second round was markedly more challenging for Knapp, as he struggled to match the brilliance of his first round. He finished the day with a 1-under 79, though he still managed to maintain his lead at the Cognizant Classic. This score was 11 strokes higher than his previous day, yet it was enough to keep him one shot clear of Matthieu Pavon, who swiftly climbed the leaderboard as Knapp was forced to make adjustments due to the wind's presence.
"I've never had to follow up a 59 at a tournament before. It's all new to me," Knapp remarked, as quoted by Daily Mail. He acknowledged the difficulties, stating, "A couple of wayward shots, but nothing too concerning." Knapp's experience from the first day provided him insights, considering the best strategies to overcome the challenges posed by the wind and tackle the course for the upcoming rounds.
Throughout the tournament’s second day, Knapp’s demeanor remained optimistic, using the challenges to assess what went wrong and where he could improve. After completing his round, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete at this level, keeping his eyes set on victory if he could regain the rhythm he demonstrated on day one.
Reflecting on his overall progression, it remains to be seen whether Knapp can sustain his lead against tough competitors as the tournament progresses. Having secured victory at the 2023 Mexican Open, Knapp holds hopes of clinching his second PGA Tour win. He clearly has the talent and tenacity to achieve this, making him one to watch as this event continues.