Jake Knapp isn't the kind of guy you ‘d wish to enter into a bar battle with.
The 29-year-old Knapp is almost 6 feet high and 200 pounds of pure muscle, which describes why when he made an application for a task a couple of years back at an up-scale dining establishment in Costa Mesa, California, wishing to perhaps work as a barback, the owner tabbed him for security information. Knapp, having simply lost his Korn Ferry Tour card in 2021 and failed at Q-School, invested 8 months as a bouncer at The Country Club, which functions as a club.
“Standing there at 1 in the early morning every Friday and Saturday night, you sort of recognize how excellent you have it when you get to take a trip and play golf for a living,” Knapp stated. “… It simply type of offered me some thicker skin and enabled me to get to where I am now.”
Now, obviously, is leading the PGA Tour's Mexico Open after 54 holes.
The novice, who currently has actually bent when this season by connecting for 3rd at the Farmers Insurance Open, flirted with 59 on Saturday at Vidanta Vallarta, playing the front 9 in 7-under 28. He then hooked with tee ball, with an iron, into the charge location on the next hole and ultimately signed for an 8-under 63, sufficient for a four-shot lead at 19 under.
Far on Tour this season, 54-hole leaders are 5 of 7 in closing out wins. None had more than a three-shot lead.
And none likely can out-bench Knapp.
Knapp stated Saturday night that he ‘d get in an exercise before going to sleep. Another would certainly follow in the early morning. He likewise prepared to send out a text to his grandpa, something he's done after every golf round he's played given that he can keep in mind.
Texts nowadays, however, are a bit various. Knapp's grandpa, Gordon Bowley, passed away April 17, 2023, from cancer. Bowley was president of Costa Mesa United, a not-for-profit that supplies grants for youth sports. After his death, Knapp got a tattoo with his grandpa's initials, G.S.F.B., simply under his left bicep.
“He was the guy I talked with after each and every single round,” Knapp stated. “Still text him after every round …”
Knapp's voice choked up.
“Sorry,” he included, before stepping far from the mic for a short while.
“Yeah,” Knapp continued, “he's extremely unique to me and my whole household, so I understand he's with me out there and he's enjoying.”
Asked what he had actually text his grandpa this time, Knapp reacted, still psychological: “Just that I miss him, miss out on talking with him, desire he might see it. It was constantly like my dream, and his dream too, for me to go out here. Yeah, I'm sorry …”
Knapp took another minute,
