PGA Tour rookie Jake Knapp showcased his prowess by birdying four of his last six holes, seizing a one-stroke lead in the second round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament.
The 29-year-old American surged ahead with a remarkable seven-under par 64, bringing his total to 14-under 128 after 36 holes at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.
Reflecting on his performance, Knapp remarked, "For the most part, hitting it pretty solidly and keeping in the right areas. I made it relatively easy on myself. I never really felt like I had to scramble or anything like that."
Sharing second place at 129 are England's Matt Wallace, who led with an opening 63, and American Troy Merritt, whose stellar round of 62 included a sensational 16-foot eagle putt at the par-5 ninth.
Confident in his position, Knapp, currently ranked 56th in the world, expressed his calm demeanour, stating, "I feel comfortable. I've been there before. In courses like this, where scores are going to be low, you don't worry too much about what other guys are doing. You try to make a bunch of birdies. If I just keep doing the things I'm doing, I'll be in a good spot."
Knapp's remarkable back-nine surge featured crucial birdies, including a stunning 30-foot putt at 16 and consecutive birdies at 17 and 18. Despite a brief setback with a bogey, Knapp quickly rebounded with notable birdie putts, reaffirming his dominance on the course.
Looking ahead, Knapp emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum, stating, "Scores are going to be low. I just got to keep the pedal down and keep trying to make birdies."
Knapp's journey to professional success is notable, having transitioned from working as a nightclub bouncer to earning a spot on the PGA Tour through his dedication and perseverance.
Meanwhile, notable performances included Matt Wallace's consistent play and Jason Day's effort to make the cut. However, three-time major winner Jordan Spieth fell short, missing the cut by a narrow margin.
Among the notable achievements of the tournament is the emergence of English 16-year-old amateur Kris Kim, who became the youngest player to make a PGA Tour cut since 2015, showcasing promise for the future of the sport.
