Jake Knapp started the day with a four-shot lead courtesy of his opening round 59. He posted 1-under 70 having made four birdies, a bogey and a double bogey at the par-4 6th to retain the Cognizant Classic lead by one shot at 13-under.
“I’ve never had to follow up a 59 at a tournament before. It’s all new to me. Yesterday everything was just clicking ball-striking wise, distance control felt really good, was able to control flight and windows; all that was perfect,” said Knapp.
“Today I think the winds were kind of stop-and-go and just kind of misjudged a few things, but overall felt like I was still making good passes at it. A couple wayward shots but nothing too concerning.
“I’ll go out and practice a little bit and make sure a few things are cleaned up. But for the most part you can’t really overdo it on this course. You can’t overpower it or anything like that. Just got to take what it gives you. Days like yesterday when the conditions are perfect and everything else you can take advantage, but I’m sure we’ll have some wind tomorrow afternoon. Just try to give myself as many birdie looks as I can and just play good, boring golf.”
Knapp is the most recent player to hold the 36-hole lead/co-lead without a round in the 60s (over those two rounds); most recently Jim Furyk co-led at the 2013 BMW Championship after rounds of 72-59.
The American’s best finish in seven starts this season was T17 at The Genesis Invitational.
France’s Matthieu Pavon signed for a 64 featuring an eagle at the par-5 10th to start his round and went on to make seven birdies and two bogeys. This marks his best position through 36 holes on Tour in 33 events as he seeks a second Tour title since winning the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open.
American Michael Kim is the only player in the field bogey-free through 36 holes after posting a second-round 66 to move into a share of third place at 11-under. He seeks his first Tour victory since the 2018 John Deere Classic.
Also tied in third place are compatriots Daniel Berger, who signed for a 68, and Doug Ghim who started his round with an eagle at the par-5 10th before making six birdies for a bogey-free 63.
Finally Sweden’s Jesper Svensson shot a 67 to join them at 11-under.
American amateur Luke Clanton posted a 66 and lies in T10 at 9-under, making the cut and reaching the 20 points required to earn PGA Tour membership. The 21-year-old is the second player to earn his card via PGA Tour University Accelerated (Gordon Sargent/October 2023). He will become eligible to accept PGA Tour membership in June 2025.
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The top 10 FedExCup points earners through the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches will earn spots in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard via the Aon Next 10.
The top 5 FedExCup points earners in the Mexico Open at VidantaWorld and Cognizant Classic will earn spots in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard via the Aon Swing 5.
The Aon Next 10 and Aon Swing 5 are eligibility pathways for players, not already qualified, to play their way into Signature Events via the FedExCup standings.
