PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Jake Knapp made golf history on Thursday, February 27, 2025, by shooting a stunning 59 during the first round of the Cognizant Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa, marking the first time anyone scored under 60 at this event and solidifying his place among the sport's elite. Knapp, ranked No. 99, became only the 14th player on the PGA Tour to achieve such a feat, which is now recognized as the 15th sub-60 round recorded on the tour.
Knapp began his round explosively, rattling off five consecutive birdies to kick things off on the Champion Course, firmly signaling it was his day. "It's just one of those days where everything was kind of clicking," he shared after his round, clearly reveling in the monumental achievement.
The 30-year-old's round did not come easily by any means. After turning at 6-under 29, Knapp continued to pile on the birdies, finishing with 12 total birdies and no bogeys to claim his remarkable score. His performance was both thrilling and historic, smashing previous Cognizant Classic records, including the course record of 61 previously held by Brian Harman and matched by Matt Jones.
What makes Knapp's score even more impressive is the manner it was achieved; he was on the verge of creating even more history, as he had the opportunity to tie Jim Furyk’s PGA Tour record of 58 with his eagle putt on the 18th hole. Unfortunately, Knapp's 19-footer fell just short. "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 noted, reflecting on the mental aspect of keeping composed throughout the pressure of the round.
The extraordinary conditions at the PGA National were certainly favorable: little wind and receptive greens after overnight rain, making low scoring possible. Rory McIlroy, the world’s No. 3 golfer, was not surprised by Knapp's success. "If he keeps playing the way he is, he's the full package," he stated after having previously played with Knapp at the same venue last year, where Knapp also had strong finishes.
Knapp's performance has opened discussions about the changes to the PGA National course, with many noting it's become less punitive over recent years. Fellow players like Billy Horschel highlighted the course's current forgiving nature, stating, "You've got to tip your hat to him. He shot a 12-under par 59 at PGA National, which no one ever thought." Horschel later wryly expressed his disbelief, saying he would have wagered heavily against anyone achieving such scores on this challenging course.
Knapp's caddie, Mike Stephens, reflected the day’s significance with his lighthearted comment, "Just another day," adding to the charm of Knapp’s demeanor as he exited the course with his girlfriend, Makena White. After the round, photos were taken with his scorecard proudly displaying the legendary number, and Knapp seemed to carry the weight of potential victory for the upcoming rounds without letting the record dampen his focus.
Looking at the statistics of those who have recorded sub-60 rounds on the PGA Tour, it's notable how few of them have gone on to win their respective tournaments. Only five have claimed victory, which Knapp is acutely aware of. "If it was Sunday and the tournament was coming down to the line, it might be different," he pointed out, addressing the reality of starting strong yet needing to maintain consistency moving forward. Knapp knew well enough it was only round one, and serious challenges lay ahead.
The tournament continues over the weekend, and with Knapp sitting four strokes clear of his nearest competitors, including Daniel Berger and Russell Henley, pressure will mount on him to deliver again. "Nobody cares on Friday, Saturday, Sunday what you shot on Thursday. Still got to keep things together and keep rolling," Makena White advised, emphasizing the importance of staying grounded as the competition progresses.
Despite the fanfare, Knapp maintained his routine post-round, saying, "Whether I shoot 89 or 59, I’m going to come back out and do my job tomorrow." That mindset will be pivotal as Knapp prepares for subsequent rounds at the Cognizant Classic. He'll need not only skill but mental resilience to keep the momentum going and see this historic outing through to its maximum potential.