PGA National made a revenge on Jake Knapp on Sunday.
After Knapp fired a sparkling opening round 59 on Thursday after complaining from other players in the cognitive classic that the famous Florida course was too easy, the 30-year-old saw the possibility of winning the tournament on hole 11 in the final round.
Threatening to win the wire from the tournament's wire, Knapp accidentally hit the approach to the green and the ball.
He could have taken the penalty and come back as NBC broadcasters had begged him when they made his decision.
Instead, he put on one shoe and tried to hit a ball out of the water, which quickly returned.
His second shot from the water went midway through the bank and was lucky enough to rest there.
Knapp failed to get up and descend from there, setting himself down to a triple bogey that pushed him down to the tie in fifth.
“We could see something like the top quarter of the ball, and most of the time we thought we could blow it up. Knapp, who is said to have been composted after the round, told Golfweek. “I still don't think I'll get it back. It's just one of those shots you have to decide to hit a little harder than I do.”
It was Iron Shot that put the frustrating Knap, who won the Mexican Open last year, into that position.
“I think I played very solid. I accidentally hit 11 one-shots, but that was the only thing I really wanted to get back. It would have been good to make a little more putt, but today's pin was more challenging,” Knapp told the website.
Knap wasn't alone in his struggle. The wind picked up on Sunday, and the last group couldn't run, and Joe Highsmith completed a great weekend run with the 64s, earning the first tournament victory of his career.
Highsmith had to make an 18-foot putt at 18 on Friday to make the cut.
“Victory was the last thing in my heart,” Highsmith, 24, told reporters. “It's incredible to be on top. I've probably done the best round of my life.”
Highsmith rushed to the top of the crowded leaderboard, with three straight birdies starting at 9 and sealing the victory with another at 17.
He was able to play safely on the par 5 on the 18th, and it was easy to make par as the players behind him were all chasing after three or more shots.
Along with winning the Masters and PGA Championship location, Highsmith will be taking part in the remaining five signature events, starting next week at Bay Hill.
“Did you say Master?” he said. “I went to tournaments as an audience last year, but playing in that tournament is going to be very special.
– On the AP
