PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Jake Knapp made history at PGA National on Thursday morning, shooting a remarkable 12-under 59 during the first round of the 2025 Cognizant Classic, and thereby setting a new course record for the Champion Course. This feat placed him among the elite ranks of golfers as he became the 15th player to break 60 on the PGA Tour, with the last person to achieve this being Hayden Springer at the 2024 John Deere Classic.
Knapp’s historic round started off with five consecutive birdies, giving him immediate momentum. He reached the par-5 ninth with another birdie, turning at 29. The birdie streak continued at the 10th and 11th holes, and he added three more at the 13th, 14th, and 15th. He approached the 18th tee needing only to make par for 60 or birdie for 59. He launched his tee shot 335 yards straight down the fairway and landed his approach to 18 feet, 8 inches from the pin. Though his eagle putt was just shy, he tapped it for 59, securely placing his name once again within the record books of the PGA Tour.
"It’s just one of those days where everything was kind of clicking," Knapp recounted post-round.
This exceptional performance ties with or exceeds the winning score of 17 out of the past 24 editions of the Cognizant/Honda Classics, reflecting Knapp's skill development since his previous T-4 finish last year at the same venue, where he scored 13 under after 72 holes.
With this 59, Knapp also eclipsed the previous course record at PGA National, which was set at 61 by Brian Harman back in 2012 and matched by Matt Jones during the 2021 tournament. Under mostly calm conditions, the course proved to be accommodating for scoring, making it less punishing than usual. Notably, there was no breeze on this bright morning, advantageous for Knapp’s historic run.
Knapp was aware of the significance of his round as he approached the finish, especially after making 11 under par heading to the final holes. He even communicated with his caddie, Mike Stephens, about the potential to finish two under for the last three holes, but he happily settled for 59. "You still have to hit shots. You have to make putts," noted Rickie Fowler, underscoring the challenge of achieving such impressive scores.
Interestingly, Knapp is not the only player to have made headlines this week at the Cognizant Classic. His girlfriend, Makena White, was present on-site during his record-setting round. White has garnered attention not just for supporting Knapp but for her own misadventures on the same day. While Knapp was making history, she contended with comedic mishaps, including losing her sunglasses and enduring the misfortune of another unexpected individual retrieving her lost underwear.
"It’s probably the golf spectator version of shooting, like, 120. Not ideal!" wrote Rogers Report, humorously highlighting White's unfortunate but memorable morning juxtaposed against Knapp's success.
Throughout history, only one player, Jim Furyk, has broken 58 on the PGA Tour, which he accomplished at the 2016 Travelers Championship. Furyk's remarkable achievement remains unmatched, but Knapp’s 59 places him alongside only 14 other golfers to score below 60, solidifying his elite status on this grand stage.
Reflecting on his career, Knapp has noted the significance of this setting at PGA National, particularly since he has only one PGA Tour victory, at last year's Mexico Open. His experience at the Cognizant previously saw him tie for fourth last year; this year, he opened strongly and aimed to carry forward this momentum.
"You’ve got to tip your hat to him," commented fellow competitor Billy Horschel, acknowledging the remarkable score of 59 at PGA National, marking this moment as one the PGA Tour has never witnessed before until now.
Knapp’s round also featured standout moments, including his second hole, where he impressed spectators by chipping in from roughly 60 feet for his birdie. Each birdie seemed to flow seamlessly, with streaks of three consecutive birdies at both the 9th and 13th holes. It may be remembered as one of the most pivotal rounds of the year.
Overall, Knapp's groundbreaking performance on Thursday set the stage for what could be one of the most memorable tournaments yet. While certainly taking pride in the achievement, he humbly expressed his desire to remain focused, stating, "Whether I shot 89 or 59, I’m going to come back out and do my job tomorrow."
With the tournament still underway and Knapp firmly established within golfing lore, fans and players alike will be watching to see how he capitalizes on this moment as the week progresses at intense competition levels.