Early on in his rookie season on the PGA Tour, Jake Knapp is quickly making a name for himself. He has a chance Sunday to make sure people don’t have an excuse to not know who he is.
Knapp had a historic start Saturday during the third round of the 2024 Mexico Open at Vidanta, making seven birdies on the front nine for a 7-under 28, the lowest nine-hole score in course history. He shot 63, tied for the lowest round of the week, on Moving Day and leads by four heading to Sunday at Vidanta Vallarta in search of his first PGA Tour win in only his ninth start.
“Struck it very similar to how I did the last couple days when I was able to get some more putts to fall,” Knapp said. “Would like to clean up a few of those bogeys on the back nine, but it was a great day.”
Knapp started with birdies on Nos. 1-2, and after a par at 3 made four straight from 4-7. Another par at 8, then Knapp added a seventh circle to the card on the ninth for a 7-under front nine.
The back nine had plenty more excitement, most of it thanks to some struggles around the greens. Knapp had three bogeys but offset that with four birdies, including on his final two holes. He sits at 19 under with 18 holes to play.
For the week, Knapp is first in Strokes Gained: Approach, gaining nearly nine shots on the field. He’s fourth Off the Tee. But around the green, he’s losing more than a stroke.
However, his power off the tee and accuracy from the fairway is making up for the couple of shortcomings around the putting surfaces. And he’s 18 holes away from a life-changing victory.
“Just a lot of the same,” Knapp said of his routine Saturday night. “Go back, shower, go to the gym tonight, do my preparation for tomorrow morning and get ready to go for tomorrow afternoon.”
Here are four more things to know about the third round of the Mexico Open at Vidanta.
