Promising golf star Jake Knapp has been commanding attention on the green, with an impressive record that has seen him rise to prominence in the golfing world. After his triumphant performance at last year’s Mexico Open and four top-10 finishes in the 2024 season, Knapp has proven he’s a force to be reckoned with in the sport. His recent 1st place achievement in the first round of this year’s Cognizant Classic, scoring an impressive 59, further solidifies this claim.
But what exactly propels Knapp’s success? A closer look reveals that his exceptional performance is not solely due to his skills on the golf course. A significant part of Knapp’s success can be attributed to the unwavering support of his family, coach, and caddie.
Knapp’s caddie, Mike Stephens, has been an instrumental figure in his career. The pair’s synergy was evident during the Mexico Open, where Knapp set a record by becoming the first player to win with two or fewer fairways since 1983. A memorable moment from the tournament saw a nervous Knapp ask Stephens how many putts he could take and still win. Stephens’ reassuring response – “Just go hit your first putt. You’re going to be fine” – is a testament to their strong professional relationship. This victory, which saw Knapp take home a whopping prize of $1,458,000, was not just Knapp’s but a shared achievement with Stephens.
Their partnership goes beyond the green, with Stephens planning to use his share of the earnings to make wise investments, such as buying a house and upgrading his gaming PC and car.
In addition to his caddie, Knapp’s coach, John Ortega, has been a cornerstone in his golfing journey. Ortega has coached Knapp and his brother, Ryan, since their childhood and has played a pivotal role in developing Knapp’s renowned swinging skills. Ortega’s belief in Knapp’s ability has been unwavering, even earning admiration from the likes of Charlie Woods.
However, Knapp’s support system expands beyond the professional realm. His family has been a constant source of support, with love and encouragement flowing freely. Knapp’s earliest golf memories revolve around taking group lessons with his brother under Ortega’s guidance and playing golf at his grandparents’ home in Palm Springs.
Knapp’s bond with his family is so strong that he dedicated his first PGA Tour win to his late grandfather, Gordon Bowley. To commemorate Bowley, who was a champion of youth sports and passed away in 2023, Knapp got a tattoo of his grandfather’s initials on his arm.
Moreover, his family’s emotional investment in his career is evident. Knapp recalls how his nail-biting final round of 71 at the Mexico Open, where he hit only two fairways out of 14, led to his brother having a panic attack. However, they were able to breathe a sigh of relief when Knapp secured his first PGA Tour win.
With such a robust support system, it’s no surprise that Jake Knapp is making waves in the golfing world. As he continues to make strides in his 2025 season, we eagerly await his next performance.
