Rocket Classic: PXG's Jake Knapp Climbs 124 Spots with New Scoring Record

Newsweek

a day ago

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The Rocket Classic got off to a hot start with Min Woo Lee tying the course record at Detroit Golf Club with a 63, but that record didn't last long. Two other players came in later and posted 62s.
Well, it looks like there's something in the Michigan air, because less than a day later, we have a new course record.
PKG ambassador Jake Knapp lit it up with an 11-under 61, which is even crazier when you realize he shaved 11 strokes off his score from the day before. That round launched him 124 spots up the leaderboard, landing him in a tie for sixth, with the round still in progress.
Knapp went bogey-free, carding an eagle and nine birdies. One of the standout moments? A 34-foot eagle putt on the par-5 17th.
Jake Knapp of the United States prepares to play a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the Rocket Classic 2025 at Detroit Golf Club on June 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.
Jake Knapp of the United States prepares to play a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the Rocket Classic 2025 at Detroit Golf Club on June 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan."It was a good day. I mean, yesterday I felt like I was doing everything OK, not great, and then just kind of did everything a little bit better today," he said after his second round performance.
"Putting was tough yesterday, I didn't make anything. In the afternoon a little bit bumpier greens, it's just sometimes how it goes."
"Was able to definitely hit it a little bit closer today, and I drove it a lot better, which was nice, so had a lot more chances."
This is his second course record of the season. You might remember Knapp fired a first-round 59 during the Cognizant Classic at the Champion Course at PGA National. The 31-year-old talked about it after wrapping up his second round in Detroit.
"I'm definitely not afraid of shooting a low number, I feel like when I start making birdies, I want to make more," he said.
"I was even kind of thinking about 59 when I stuck it close on my third to last for eagle and figured I could maybe eagle that and birdie the last two."
Jake Knapp's achieved 25 rounds in the 60s so far this season, including that insane 59 and this Friday's 61. But he hasn't quite been able to string those performances together. So far, he's only got two top-10 finishes: a tied for sixth at the Cognizant Classic and a tied for third at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
More Golf: Pair of Surprising PGA Tour Pros Set Course Record at Rocket Classic