Jake Knapp Makes History with 59 at Cognizant Classic, Narrowly Misses PGA Tour Scoring Record

Image credits: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Jake Knapp has made history at the Cognizant Classic, shooting a bogey-free 59 in the opening round at PGA National, becoming the 14th player to achieve a sub-60 round in PGA Tour history. This impressive feat marks the 15th time someone has broken 60 in a PGA Tour event. Knapp's remarkable round included 12 birdies, with his final score just one stroke off the PGA Tour record of 58, set by Jim Furyk in 2016.

Knapp started his day with five straight birdies, setting the tone for an exceptional round. He continued to play consistently, with three birdies in a row on holes 9-11, and three more on holes 13-15. His final birdie putt on the 17th hole just barely missed, and he had an 18-foot, 8-inch eagle putt on the 18th hole that would have tied the record, but it skirted just right, and he tapped in for a 59. The conditions at PGA National were favorable, with barely any wind, allowing players to take advantage of the course. Other notable players, such as Daniel Berger, Russell Henley, and Sami Valimaki, shot 63, while Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth shot 64 and 65, respectively.

Knapp's achievement is even more impressive considering the challenging nature of the Champion Course at PGA National, which ranked 18th out of 42 in difficulty in 2024, according to PGA Tour stats. The previous course record was 61, set by Brian Harman in 2012 and tied by Matt Jones in 2021. Knapp's 59 has broken this record, showcasing his exceptional skill and ball-striking ability. He needed to make only 98 feet of putts, demonstrating his accuracy and control on the greens.

The list of scores from the first round of the Cognizant Classic includes:

• Jake Knapp: 59
• Daniel Berger: 63
• Russell Henley: 63
• Sami Valimaki: 63
• Rickie Fowler: 64
• Jordan Spieth: 65

Knapp's caddie, Mike Stephens, noted that they were not afraid to discuss the possibilities on the final three holes, and Knapp's focus and determination were evident throughout the round. As Knapp said, "Whether I shot 89 or 59, I'm going to come back out and do my job tomorrow," demonstrating his commitment to performing at his best, regardless of the score.

Knapp's historic round has given him a three-stroke clubhouse lead over Daniel Berger, Russell Henley, and Jesper Svensson. As the tournament continues, it will be exciting to see how Knapp and the other players perform, and whether anyone can surpass his impressive score. With his exceptional play, Knapp has set the bar high, and it will be interesting to see how the rest of the tournament unfolds.

pga golfer course cognizant tour knapp record round jake classic