Who Is Jake Knapp? 20 Facts You Didn't Know About The PGA Tour Player

Jake Knapp is among the latest batch of PGA Tour stars with an extremely bright future ahead of him, and he has already drawn comparisons to the great Fred Couples as a result of his extended back-swing.

But if you don't know all that much about Knapp, feel free to keep reading and find out more.

1. Jake Knapp was born May 31, 1994 in Costa Mesa, California.

2. He attended UCLA and majored in history.

3. Enjoying a successful amateur career, Knapp qualified for the 2015 US Open, but missed the cut after rounds of 74 and 76.

4. Knapp claims that if he didn't play golf, he would pursue a career in the fitness industry.

5. His earliest golf memory is watching Tiger Woods defeat Stephen Ames 9&8 at the WGC Match Play. During that event Woods' caddie, Steve Williams, tossed Knapp one of the balls Woods used during the match. The ball still sits displayed on his desk.

6. He turned professional in 2016, one year after attending UCLA.

7. Knapp endured a tough start to professional life, with the American jumping back and forth between the PGA Tour Canada circuit and the Korn Ferry Tour.

8. The American can solve a Rubik's Cube and also enjoys playing video games like Call of Duty and Apex Legends.

9. He picked up two PGA Tour Canada titles in 2019, but struggled on the Korn Ferry Tour the next year. Thankfully, after returning back to the PGA Tour Canada circuit, Knapp found some form and eventually cemented his Korn Ferry Tour status in 2023.

10. In 2021, Knapp worked as a security guard at The Country Club, a restaurant/nightclub in Costa Mesa, California.

11. In October 2023, Knapp secured his PGA Tour card after finishing inside the top 30 in the Korn Ferry Tour Points List.

12. He is a huge fan of the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), Los Angeles Angels (MLB), Anaheim Ducks (NHL), and Michigan Wolverines.

13. During the 2023 Utah Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour, Knapp was mic'd up as he played and shot an eight-under-par round.

14. He is sponsored by PXG and wears Original Penguin apparel.

15. Upon earning his PGA Tour card, Knapp was presented with an Anaheim Ducks jersey with the words Tour Bound and the number 23 on it.

16. Knapp has a tattoo of his grandfather's initials (GSFB) on his left bicep. Gordon Bowley died due to cancer in April 2023. Knapp admitted that he still sends a text to his grandfather after every round.

17. He claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the 2024 Mexico Open by two shots from Finland's Sami Valimaki.

18. Knapp's highest OWGR spot is 52nd - clinched after his win at Vidanta in February 2024.

19. During his Mexico Open success, Knapp became the first PGA Tour player since 1983 to hit two or fewer fairways in his final round and win.

20. His debut PGA Tour victory qualified Knapp to play his first Major at the 2024 Masters.

HOW FAR DOES JAKE KNAPP DRIVE THE BALL?

During the 2024 PGA Tour season, Knapp currently averages 308.6 yards off the tee, with his longest drive being 380 yards. As of writing, at the end of February, he is the 11th longest hitter on the PGA Tour.