"Weekend Fore-cast" prepares you for golf's major tours heading into the weekend. In this installment, PGA Professional and RG’s Lead Golf Writer Brendon Elliott talks about Jake Knapp's 59 and his chances to win this weekend, a double ace on the DP World Tour, and how things are shaping up at the LPGA’s HSBC Women’s World Championship.
PGA TOUR Roundup: Knapp Makes History at Cognizant Classic
Knapp's Historic 59 Stuns PGA TOUR
Jake Knapp etched his name in PGA TOUR history during Thursday's opening round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, firing an electrifying 12-under 59 at PGA National's Champion Course. The 30-year-old PGA TOUR sophomore became just the 15th player to break 60 in TOUR history and the first to accomplish the feat in his rookie season.
Knapp's historic round included 12 birdies and not a single bogey as he navigated the typically challenging Champion Course with remarkable precision. Knapp made the turn at 6-under and continued the birdie onslaught with a 6-under back nine.
Pavon, Berger, and More Challenge for the Lead
While Knapp's 59 dominated Thursday's headlines, the tournament's second round saw Matthieu Pavon, Daniel Berger, and others mounting serious challenges. The Frenchman Pavon shot a nifty 7-under par 64 on Friday to climb to 12-under and one back of Knapp, positioning himself well heading into the weekend.
Sitting two back is a foursome that includes Daniel Berger, Michael Kim, Jesper Svensson, and Doug Ghim, who reached that number on the strength of an 8-under par 63, the round of the day. Others in the hunt include fan favorite Rickie Fowler and 2023 Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson at 10-under par, and newly minted PGA TOUR member Luke Clanton...more on him in a bit.
The field is stacked as play moves into the weekend. PGA National never fails to create great storylines and drama, so this will definitely be a weekend worth watching.
Clanton Secures PGA TOUR Card in Spectacular Fashion
In perhaps the most heartwarming story of the tournament, amateur Luke Clanton secured his PGA TOUR card after making the cut at the Cognizant Classic. The Florida State junior earned enough non-member FedExCup points to secure Special Temporary Membership on the PGA TOUR, giving him unlimited sponsor exemptions for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Clanton, who received a sponsor exemption into the event, made the most of his opportunity with stellar play through the first two rounds. His performance at PGA National adds to an already impressive resume that includes a T15 at this year's Farmers Insurance Open and four top 10s in eight starts last year, which included two runner-up finishes at the John Deere Classic and Wyndham Championship.
Clanton shared the following with The Palm Beach Post:
“I can’t put into words how awesome this is. The journey I’ve had so far on the PGA Tour … A year ago, if you told me I’d be right here getting my card, I would tell you, no way.”
The Bear Trap Challenge
PGA National's infamous three-hole stretch known as "The Bear Trap" (holes 15-17) is always a tournament-defining gauntlet. The challenging sequence, featuring two par-3s with water hazards and a demanding par-4, claimed numerous victims through the first two rounds.
Over the years, "The Bear Trap" has been one of the most difficult three-hole stretches on the PGA TOUR. Players who navigate these holes successfully have gained significant ground on the field.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend
As the tournament heads into the weekend, all eyes will be on whether Knapp can sustain his historic pace or if veterans like Berger can leverage their experience to overtake the PGA TOUR sophomore. With challenging conditions expected and PGA National's demanding layout, dramatic shifts on the leaderboard remain likely.
The Cognizant Classic represents one of the final few opportunities for players to fine-tune their games before the season's first major, The Masters, which looms just over a month away. Strong performances this weekend could provide crucial momentum heading into the heart of the golf season.
In Other News From The Professional Ranks: Double Aces on DP World Tour
England's Dale Whitnell made history at the South African Open Championship on the DP World Tour by accomplishing the nearly impossible feat of making two holes-in-one in the same round. The 35-year-old aced the par-3 second hole and then repeated the extraordinary achievement on the par-3 12th hole during Friday's round.
Whitnell, who had never previously made a hole-in-one in professional competition, beat the odds of making two aces in one round, which experts place at 67 million to 1 (for all golfers). Whitnell's feat was the third time this has happened on the DP World Tour, with Andrew Dodt doing it in 2013 and John Hudson in 1971. This same feat has happened three times on the PGA TOUR as well, with Brian Harman accomplishing this stunning feat in 2015, Yusaku Miyazato doing it in 2006, and Bill Whedon doing it way back in 1955.
LPGA Tour Roundup: Kim Leads in Singapore as Ko Chases
On the LPGA Tour, A Lim Kim of South Korea maintained her lead after 36 holes at the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore. Kim followed her opening-round 68 with a solid 3-under 69 to sit at 7-under par, one stroke ahead of New Zealand's Lydia Ko heading into the weekend.
Ko, seeking her 23rd LPGA Tour victory, fired a second-round 67 at Sentosa Golf Club's Tanjong Course to put herself in prime position for a weekend charge. The former world number one displayed her characteristic precision, hitting 16 of 18 greens in regulation during Friday's round.
Hyo Joo Kim and Charley Hull sit two strokes back at 5-under par, while a group of five, including Ruoning Yin, remain in contention at 4-under par. The HSBC Women's World Championship, often called "Asia's Major," features 18 of the world's top 20 players competing this week for this prestigious title.
Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.
Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.
Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.
