Around the Links: Week of Feb. 27

With the PGA Tour in full swing, many people were surprised to see Jake Knapp’s name on top of the leaderboard in the Mexico Open. In only his ninth career tour appearance Jake Knapp shot a dominating 19 under-par at Vidanta Villarta.

Jake Knapp just two years ago was a bouncer trying to earn enough money to keep his golf dream alive, with the win he achieved last week he earned $1.5 million and gets to keep his tour card for another two years. Before the PGA Tour, he played professionally in Canada achieving 3 victories on PGA Tour Canada.

On the other side of golf, Anthony Kim has returned to golf as a part of the LIV Tour. Kim mysteriously disappeared from the PGA Tour 12 years ago after an injury, In 2014 it was reported by the Golf Channel that he was not even playing golf recreationally. However, in 2024 he is set to play his first pro event in over a decade as he will be participating in LIV Jeddah.

The PGA Tour will return to South Florida this week for the Cognizant Classic. It will take place at PGA National designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Jack Nicklaus, famous for its “Bear Trap” holes number 15, 16 and 17. This course can be a challenge for players and will set the stakes for a highly competitive tournament.

According to CBS the second-ranked player in the world, Rory Mcilroy, is the favorite at 6-1, followed by Russell Henley and Matt Fitzpatrick. Rory has won at this course before winning the former Honda Classic in 2012. It will be interesting to see if he can do it again twelve years later.

Ben Hoyt is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him email benhoytbroadcasting@gmail.com