PGA Tour : Mexico Open at Vidanta Leaderboard Results
" It was more windy, the pins were set tough, although my first 3 holes (bogey par bogey) were the worst I played all week, I looked at the scoreboard on the 14th and nobody was making a run. I thought ok this is a 2 horse race".
Jake Knapp, of the United States celebrates on the 18th green after winning the Mexico Open golf tournament in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (Fernando Llano/AP Photo)
Those words from the Mexico Open winner, Californian Jake Knapp with his first PGA Tour win 67 64 63 71 -19 in just his 5th event in 2024, worth $1,458,000 500 points, 52owgr and 8th on the Fed Ex Cup standings.
He didn't have his A game, but the 4 shot cushion heading into Sunday, proved to be enough.
We all know the LIV gravy train is completely out of whack, and guys like Knapp who at 29 was working security 2 years ago before getting a sponsorship from the owner of the Anaheim Ducks, qualifying through the the top 30 on the Korn Ferry Tour proves there is more than plenty of money on the PGA Tour, to do it the right way.
After T3 at the Farmers Insurance and T28 in Phoenix he has banked over $2,200,000 in three weeks, is now exempt for 2 years, in the Masters and in every signature event this year. .. who needs more ?
Sami Valimaki, a top 10 finisher on the DP World Tour, gave it his best and was in with a chance until he hit his worst drive of the week on the 72, a duffers slice which lodged under an OB security fence, ended the drama. 64 67 67 69 -17, he sportingly applauded Knapp after he tapped in for the win. Sami got $882,900 for his efforts.
Canada's Ben Silverman was T3 after 70 68 63, and he was -2 through 7 holes, however a double bogey 5 on the par3 9th when his tee shot soared into the water ended his chances. Bogey's at 9, 10 and 16 led to a closing 72, T13 -11 worth $145,000
Stuart MacDonald who spent last year on the Korn Ferry Tour had a top 25 to his credit, 69 71 67 68 -9 T24. worth $61,695
Schedule
This week the Florida swing begins at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches. Scratching your head?
Yes this is the old (1982 - 2023) Honda Classic on what was known as "The Blue Monster" now called PGA National (Champions course) in ritzy Palm Beach Gardens.
There are 4 Canadians in the field, Corey Conners, Taylor Pendrith, Ben Silverman and Adam Svensson. Roger Sloan is 9th alternative.
Rory McIlroy is showing up, Mathieu Pavon returns to action after a month off after his sensational win at Torrey Pines, T3 at Pebble Beach.
Next week is at Arnie's place, Bay Hill a signature $20,000,000 for a limited field.
Bryan Angus
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