While he might not be in the lead, there’s something impressive happening here.
John Pak, a newcomer on the PGA Tour and a dedicated fan of the New York Knicks, turned his frustration into motivation on Thursday, scoring a remarkable 7-under 63. This performance was driven by the emotional aftermath of his team’s disappointing loss, Charles Schwab Challenge Leaderboard.
Growing up in New Jersey, Pak was fueled by the Knicks’ heartbreaking failure to capitalize on a 14-point lead in the final minutes of a 138-135 defeat against the Indiana Pacers during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Yes, that’s right—his frustration pushed him to rise in the rankings. (Related: Scotty Schaeffler captures two sizeable wins in a heartwarming moment shared on social media one weekend)
“I’m a persistent Knicks fan, and honestly, that’s one of the worst losses I’ve ever witnessed,” Pak mentioned, noting he has only made the top 25 once out of 12 events this season (with seven cuts made). ESPN. “This morning, I felt something ignite in me. I was pretty upset about it.”
Pak is currently tied for third place with a score of 7 under 63, though he’s yet to tee off for the day, scheduled for 2:40 PM ET. This is certainly worth mentioning since he still has the chance to claim victory.
Rookie John Pak achieves the lowest round of his first-day PGA Tour career at Colonial.
The former Florida Seminole shot a 7-under 63, highlighted by an eagle on the 392-yard par 4 tenth hole, making an impressive dunk from 142 yards.
“It’s just… pic.twitter.com/asf2yarz4o
– Jack Milko (@jack_milko) May 22, 2025
Looks like I know what to watch this weekend…
