The roar that echoed across PGA National's Champion Course wasn't for a tournament victory, but for a moment bordering on the legendary. Jake Knapp, a
The roar that echoed across PGA National’s Champion Course wasn’t for a tournament victory, but for a moment bordering on the legendary. Jake Knapp, a relative newcomer to the tour, delivered a stunning round at the Cognizant Classic today, flirting with the elusive sub-60 mark, ultimately signing for a phenomenal score that placed him firmly in golf’s history books. On his hay to a 59 (12 under), Jake Knapp hit 12 of 14 fairways, 16 of 18 greens in regulation, had 25 putts for a total of 96’6″ putting. On difficult hole 17, his birdie putt missed by a fraction and had an eagle putt on 18, so potentially he could have scored a lowest ever round of 57. The round was played with clear skies, and a light to moderate wind, temperature was in the mid 70’s, ideal playing conditions.
Knapp’s remarkable round unfolded on the famed Champion Course at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This course, known for its challenging ‘Bear Trap’ (holes 15, 16, and 17), designed by Jack Nicklaus, is a formidable test. Tough greens, strategically placed bunkers, and water hazards demand precision and mental fortitude. The Champion Course is notorious for its difficulty, and very low rounds are not common.
Born in Costa Mesa, California, the 29-year-old’s path wasn’t a straight line to professional golf. After a successful collegiate career at UCLA, Knapp found himself struggling to gain traction in the professional ranks. He even took a hiatus from the sport, working as a nightclub security guard in his hometown. This period, while challenging, instilled a resilience and perspective that would later serve him well on the course.
Knapp’s resurgence began on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he honed his skills and built confidence. His powerful swing and improved short game propelled him into contention, culminating in his PGA Tour card (2024.) His victory at the Mexico Open in 2024 announced his arrival, but today’s 59 round solidifies him as a player to watch, one capable of producing moments of brilliance.
The quest for a sub-60 round is a near-mythical pursuit in professional golf. It represents a level of perfection that few have ever achieved. To date, only a handful of players have broken the 60-stroke barrier on the PGA Tour.
Here is the list of those who have shot 59, and the one player who has shot 58. Only three players prior to the 2000s have done it and only ten this century:
* Al Geiberger (1977): 59 at the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic.
* Chip Beck (1991): 59 at the Las Vegas Invitational.
* David Duval (1999): 59 at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.
* Paul Goydos (2010): 59 at the John Deere Classic.
* Stuart Appleby (2010): 59 at the Greenbrier Classic.
* Jim Furyk (2013): 59 at the BMW Championship.
* Jim Furyk (2016): 58 at the Travelers Championship.
* Justin Thomas (2017): 59 at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
* Adam Hadwin (2017): 59 at the CareerBuilder Challenge.
* Brandt Snedeker (2018): 59 at the Wyndham Championship.
* Kevin Chappell (2019): 59 at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier.
* Scottie Scheffler (2020): 59 at The Northern Trust.
* Cameron Young (2024): 59 at the Travelers Championship.
* Hayden Springer (2024): 59 at the John Deere Classic.
The Absence of Legends: A Testament to Golf’s Difficulty
What’s equally striking about the list of sub-60 rounds is the absence of some of the game’s most iconic names. Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy – these legends, despite their countless victories and unparalleled legacies, never managed to break the 60-stroke barrier in a PGA Tour event.
This highlights the sheer difficulty of achieving such a feat. Even the greatest golfers in history have faced the humbling reality that perfection is elusive. It underscores the importance of a confluence of factors – a hot putter, precise ball-striking, and a touch of luck – that must align for a sub-60 round to materialize.
Woods, for example, has come close on multiple occasions, Nicklaus, known for his strategic brilliance, also never managed to crack the 60 mark in a PGA Tour tournament.
While Jake Knapp’s round was exceptional, it’s important to note that the lowest round in PGA TOUR-sanctioned history belongs to Cristobal Del Solar, who shot a remarkable 57 on the Korn Ferry Tour in May of 2024. This achievement underscores the potential for incredible scoring across all levels of professional golf. The Korn Ferry Tour serves as the primary developmental tour for the PGA Tour. It’s where aspiring professionals hone their skills and compete for a coveted PGA Tour card. While the courses may sometimes differ in difficulty compared to the PGA Tour, the level of competition is extremely high, and Del Solar’s 57 is a testament to the talent present on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Radu Roman
TRIBUNA.US
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