Jack Nicklaus hit Jake Knapp’s championship course at PGA National.
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The artist, formerly known as Honda Classic, was once known for its strong winds and crisp fairways and greens, which led to a US-like test in the Champion course at PGA National.
Those days in Palm Beach now called “Cognitive Classic” seem to have passed. The competition began to oversee Bermuda grass with black vegetables in 2023 to make the grass greener and softer things. The decision led to a lower score in Jack Nicklaus’ pride and joy, with the latest burnout on Thursday, when Jake Knapp hit a 59-under-par in the first round.
Knapp’s 59 is the 15th round in PGA Tour history to be below 60, and several professionals are in trouble with PGA National.
However, Jack Nicklaus doesn’t mind Knapp breaking up one of his signature courses.
For the 18th Grand Slam champion, Knapp’s 59 people said some positive performances to the championship course.
“The guys played further, it was good, you had a benign day and the guys could play well. It’s OK. I like that,” Nicklaus said in NBC’s third round of Cognitive Classics. “If the golf course doesn’t succumb to good golf, then I don’t think it’s a good golf course. Now, if you have a day like we did on Thursday and 3 points are low, then I think it’s the fault of the golf course.”
59 parts of Jake Knapp You’re Not In Cognitive Classic | Rogers Report
Claire Rogers
Nicklaus’s opinion was not published by Billy Horschel.
“There is no wind, so it helps a lot,” Hossel said on Thursday. “You have to give your hat [Knapp]. He was under 59 at PGA National, no one expected him to do it. I know we had a discussion earlier this week and I might change some tone. I think the supervision has – rough is not long enough. This is not enough punishment when you miss the fairway.
“I really wish we could only play as straightforward Bermuda. Everything from T-shirts to green is straightforward Bermuda. I know it doesn’t look too pretty on TV, and I know it’s one of the reasons I’m supervised.”
Herschel later added: “I’m a little disappointed that I said the course is incredible.”
Jordan Spieth made his debut this week, noting the conditions and settings required the guys to lower on Thursday.
“I think they’re not a lot of the hardest pins on the golf course from the course,” Spieth said. “Many of them are in the available locations and then we don’t have any winds, so it’s a beautiful morning.”
Chris Kirk won the 2023 Championship with 14 strokes. Last year, Austin Eckroat followed up with 17 shots.
The winner’s number is about this year. Nicklaus is OK, though there is no doubt that he wants the old PGA nationals to return.
