Jake Knapp made history on Thursday, February 27, 2025, by shooting a record-breaking round of 59 at the 2025 Cognizant Classic held at PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The 30-year-old golfer became only the 15th player in PGA Tour history to shoot under 60, landing himself firmly among the sport's elite. Knapp's performance set the course record, surpassing the previous record of 61 held jointly by Brian Harman and Matt Jones.
The day started spectacularly for Knapp, who carded five consecutive birdies, setting the tone for what would become a superb round. His flawless play continued as he turned the front nine with a score of 29. Knapp added to his score with birdies on Nos. 10 and 11, before finishing with three more at Nos. 13, 14, and 15, ending the day with 12 birdies and six pars.
Knapp's round was not without drama; he stood on the 18th tee needing just one birdie to close with a score of 59. His energetic tee shot of 335 yards down the fairway left him with 200 yards to the pin. Knapp expertly hit his approach within 18 feet, just shy of making eagle. The pressure built as he aimed for another birdie to make history, but his eagle putt slid just right of the cup. He nonetheless tapped in for the storied 59, delighting fans and marking his name in the history books of the PGA Tour.
This round became memorable not just for Knapp but for all golf fans, putting him on par with legends of the game. Only Jim Furyk has shot lower on the PGA Tour with his record 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship. The last player before Knapp to achieve this sub-60 milestone was Hayden Springer, who recorded the same score at the 2024 John Deere Classic.
Knapp's success has been attributed to composure under pressure and superb shot-making skills. "I thought I did a good job of just trying to focus on shot by shot and not letting what happened, or what could happen affect anything," Knapp remarked after his historic day. His caddie Mike Stephens echoed the sentiment, stating, "Just another day," which reflected their commitment to stay grounded amid such remarkable success.
Rory McIlroy, currently ranked No. 3 globally, recognized Knapp's potential to break through in the sport. “If he keeps playing the way he is, he's the full package,” McIlroy had said last year, and it appears those words hold true as Knapp thrives on one of the PGA's more challenging courses. His demeanor on and off the course added to the excitement, with his girlfriend, Makena White, cheering him on throughout his debut performance.
The Champion Course, where Knapp achieved this feat, is often regarded as one of the toughest courses on the tour, known for its treacherous three-hole stretch famously dubbed The Bear Trap, which was redesigned by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. Despite this, Knapp seemed unfazed and performed exceptionally well, showing his potential for more remarkable achievements.
His score of 59 ties or beats the winning score from 17 of the past 24 editions of the Cognizant Classic/Honda Classics, illustrating the significance of his accomplishment. With this performance, Knapp not only broke the course record but showcased his consistent improvement since earning his first PGA Tour victory at the Mexico Open just the year prior.
The round was remarkable on many levels; it showcased Knapp’s sharp approach game, evidenced by his accuracy on the greens where he tapped home several long birdie putts, including one from 31 feet on the par-3 15th hole. "It was like, 'OK, now this is kind of here,' " Knapp recounted as the excitement of possibly reaching 58 began to creep back onto his mind.
Looking to the future, Knapp remains focused on maintaining his strong performance through the remaining rounds of the Cognizant Classic, emphasizing, “If it was Sunday and the tournament was coming down to the line, it might be different. But at the same time, it's Thursday morning, and I'm doing my best to just put myself in position going forward.”
The atmosphere around PGA National buzzed with excitement as Knapp finished his round, expressing gratitude for the support from fans and fellow competitors alike. The mutual admiration demonstrated Knapp's growing presence on the tour and hinted at even greater potential moving forward.
Knapp still has three rounds left to play, and attendees and viewers alike are eager to see if he can maintain this sharp form and potentially continue to break barriers within the sport. The drive and determination of this young golfer promise not just another exciting weekend at the Cognizant Classic but hopefully many more records to chase beyond this incredible achievement.