In Detroit, Jake Knapp achieved a remarkable feat previously unseen in PGA Tour history.
On Friday, Knapp carded an impressive 11-under 61, setting a new Rocket Classic record that had only just been established the previous day. This performance also made him the first player on the tour to record a score under 60 and another score of 61 or better within the same season.
Despite this historic round, his score wasn`t quite enough to land him in the top six positions going into the weekend at Detroit Golf Club.
After the second round, Chris Kirk (65), Philip Knowles (64), and Andrew Putnam (66) shared the lead at 14 under par. Jackson Suber (65) was one shot behind them.
Aldrich Potgieter, who had posted a record 62 on Thursday to share the first-round lead with Kevin Roy, shot a 70 and was two strokes back, tied with Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Mark Hubbard (69).
Knapp entered the third round three shots off the pace, part of a significant group of players including Collin Morikawa (64), Hideki Matsuyama (66), and Roy (71).
The 31-year-old Knapp, the reigning Mexico Open champion as a rookie last year, began Friday`s round ranked 130th among the 156 competitors after an opening 72. His bogey-free round, featuring nine birdies and an eagle, propelled him dramatically up the leaderboard and into contention.
“I was likely just frustrated all night and into the morning, so perhaps that provided some motivation,” he commented.
Knapp, currently ranked 99th globally, is unique on the tour this season for having recorded two rounds of 61 or better.
Four months prior, at the Cognizant Classic, he shot a remarkable 59 – just one stroke shy of Jim Furyk`s 2016 tour record of 58. In that event, he initially broke the tournament scoring record but finished in a tie for sixth.
Knapp`s round surpassed the 18-hole record at Detroit Golf Club, which had been established just the day before by Potgieter and Roy with their rounds of 62.
“Once I start making birdies, I get a strong desire to make even more,” Knapp stated. “I was even contemplating a 59 after hitting my approach shot close on my third-to-last hole.”
Philip Knowles, 28, is seeking his first PGA Tour victory. His strong play allowed him to make the cut for only the third time in 11 starts this season, following a stretch where he missed the weekend in five consecutive tournaments.
“This hasn`t been my best year by any means, but golf is unpredictable,” Knowles remarked. “When you`re struggling, it feels like you`ll never play well again. Then you have a day like this, and it`s hard to imagine ever shooting a poor score.”
Chris Kirk, 40, who secured his sixth tour win at last year`s season opener in Kapalua, began his second round with three consecutive birdies and finished with nine birdies against two bogeys.
While many leaders played in the more favorable morning conditions, Putnam was an exception, playing in the afternoon.
Putnam competed during the hot and humid afternoon when winds were strong and inconsistent. He had a solid start with three birdies and one bogey on the front nine, adding just one birdie on the back. His performance puts him in contention to potentially win his second PGA Tour title, and his first since 2018.
“The wind picked up, making a few holes quite challenging, so I`m pleased I managed to get through it,” Putnam commented.