Jake Knapp Makes Golf History with a 59 at PGA Cognizant Classic
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
An Unforgettable Start to the Cognizant Classic
The opening round of the Cognizant Classic delivered a moment for the history books as Jake Knapp shot an electrifying bogey-free 59, joining one of golf’s most elite clubs. Knapp, ranked No. 99 in the world, became just the 14th player in PGA Tour history to post a sub-60 round, putting his name alongside legends of the game.
His blistering round started with five consecutive birdies, setting the tone for an extraordinary day at PGA National, a course notorious for its difficulty. Knapp’s 12-birdie performance shattered the previous tournament record and put him in contention for what could be a career-defining victory.
Jake Knapp’s Round: A Shot-by-Shot Breakdown
Red-Hot Start
-Knapp wasted no time making an impact, rolling in five straight birdies to begin his round, highlighted by a 60-foot chip-in at the par-4 second hole.
-His aggressive approach continued, adding another three consecutive birdies on holes 9 through 11 and then another streak on holes 13 through 15.
-His 31-foot breaking putt on the 15th sent the crowd into a frenzy and set the stage for a potential record-breaking finish.
Chasing History: The Final Three Holes
-Stepping onto the 16th tee at 11-under, Knapp knew he had a chance at Jim Furyk’s all-time Tour record of 58.
-He parred 16 and 17, setting up a dramatic eagle opportunity on 18.
-Needing to sink an 18-foot putt to tie the record, Knapp’s attempt came up just short, leaving him to tap in for a final score of 59.
How Knapp’s 59 Stacks Up in PGA Tour History
-15th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history (14th player, as Jim Furyk has done it twice).
-First-ever sub-60 round at PGA National, breaking the previous record of 61, set by Brian Harman in 2012 and matched by Matt Jones in 2021.
-Fewest total feet of putts made in a sub-60 round (98 feet), showcasing his impeccable ball-striking.
This wasn’t just a record-breaking round—it was a statement performance on one of the PGA Tour’s toughest venues.
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What Made PGA National Play Differently?
Golfers at PGA National are accustomed to battling high winds, but Thursday’s conditions were unusually calm, making it a prime scoring opportunity. The lack of wind allowed players to be aggressive, and Knapp took full advantage, attacking pins with confidence.
Even wildlife couldn’t slow things down—on the 7th hole, Billy Horschel had to use a club to gently encourage an alligator off the green, a rare sight even in South Florida golf.
Knapp wasn’t the only player to take advantage of the favorable conditions:
-Daniel Berger, Russell Henley, and Sami Valimaki all posted 63s.
-Rickie Fowler carded a 64, keeping himself in the mix early.
-Jordan Spieth continued his comeback from wrist surgery with a solid 65.
But no one could match Knapp’s precision and execution, making him the clear story of the day.
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Knapp’s Odds to Win the Cognizant Classic
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jake Knapp | +330 |
| Russell Henley | +800 |
| Daniel Berger | +800 |
| Shane Lowry | +1800 |
| Rickie Fowler | +2000 |
| Jordan Spieth | +2500 |
Following his historic 59 in the opening round, Jake Knapp has emerged as the clear favorite to win the Cognizant Classic, currently listed at +330 after opening at +6600. His dominant performance has placed him ahead of contenders like Russell Henley (+800) and Daniel Berger (+800), both of whom remain in striking distance four shots back after strong starts. Rickie Fowler (+2000) remains five back, while Shane Lowry (+1800), who opened as the tournament favorite at +2000, has a lot of work to do. After an opening round of 65, Jordan Spieth (+2500) sits six strokes from the lead. With Knapp’s confidence soaring and his game firing on all cylinders, bettors are backing him as the player to beat at PGA National.
What This Means for Knapp’s Career
This performance is not just a one-day wonder—Knapp has been trending upward.
-He won his first PGA Tour event last season at the Mexico Open.
-He tied for fourth at last year’s Cognizant Classic, showing he’s comfortable at PGA National.
-Before this week, his best finish in 2025 was T-17, but this round could be the spark he needs to compete for another title.
His ability to stay calm under pressure and make putts when it mattered most suggests that he could be a factor all weekend long.
A Historic Round in the Making
Knapp’s 59 will be remembered as one of the greatest single rounds in Cognizant Classic history. His ball-striking and putting were near perfect, and his composure in chasing one of golf’s rarest feats was remarkable.
While his work isn’t finished, this performance guarantees that his name will be etched in PGA Tour history. Now, the question is—can he carry this momentum through the weekend and turn this into a victory at PGA National?
One thing is for sure—golf fans won’t be forgetting this round anytime soon. ⛳🔥
