‘Roughly 9 Months…’: Jake Knapp’s Unknown Side Gets Revealed Amid Massive Mexican Open Lead

The golf world is slowly building up its hype as the climax of the 2024 Mexican Open is just around the corner. Moreover, the Vidanta Vallarta-Nuevo Vallarta has witnessed a scintillating display of golf over the past three days. The reason? None other than Jake Knapp, the American pro who is currently leading the event. However, it appears he has caught people’s attention once again, but this time it’s not his performance.

A tweet posted just hours ago by NUCLR GOLF on their X handle (previously known as Twitter) shared a new piece of information about Knapp’s past from just a few years ago that has gone unnoticed by many!

The non-golfing past of Jake Knapp

While the player’s recent golf prowess has managed to turn many heads, the focus is now shifting from his game to his life before turning pro, thanks to the tweet that shone a light on the less-known side of the golfer when he “spent roughly nine months as a security guard at a night club in fall 2021 through spring 2022.”

Back in 2021, following a missed Q-school attempt and losing status, Jake Knapp turned to The Country Club, a restaurant in Costa Mesa, to become a barback. However, he wasn’t aware of it turning into a nightclub, which, coincidentally, needed a security guy. As a result, he became their employee, working Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights and special events.

“I was thankful I wasn’t living off that job,” said the 29-year-old professional when asked about the same. “It helped fund mini-tour stuff and Canada that summer,” recounted Knapp about the job he did for around eight months before going on to mention how it made him “work a little bit harder and not take golf for granted.”

The result? Well, he now holds a well-earned PGA Tour card and plays the sport he loves competitively. What’s more, on Sunday this week, he may also clinch victory at the Mexico event!

Knapp’s performance at the 2024 Mexico Open

The golfer was able to register a total of 19-under 194, a lead of four strokes from Sami Valimaki at T2, over the first three days of play with just one more left to go. He did so while scoring 23 birdies over the three rounds, eleven of which came on the third day. Meanwhile, Knapp dished out four bogeys as well, carding figures of 67, 64, and 63 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, respectively.

ALSO READ – Mystery Illness Strikes the PGA Tour Yet Again; Mexico Open Witnesses 3 Abrupt WDs Mere Days After Riviera Scare

Moreover, out of the four events he has completed till now, the pro has made the cut three times while finishing inside the top 10 once at the Farmers Insurance Open. This has pushed him to the 53rd position in the FedEx Cup with 172 points. But if Jake Knapp manages to emerge victorious in Mexico, he would be able to propel himself to the top of the standings. Many undoubtedly have their fingers crossed for the golfer. Are you part of that cohort? Let us know in the comments below.

READ MORE – Who Is Sami Valimaki’s Fierce NHL Cousin? Meet Juuso Valimaki the Dynamic Defenceman