For a Guy Who Hasn’t Played Much Links Golf, Jake Knapp Looks Right at Home in Scotland

Since missing back-to-back cuts at the PGA Championship and Charles Schwab Challenge, Jake Knapp’s started to roll. After an opening-round 63 at the RBC Canadian Open, he tied for 27th. A few weeks later, he used a Friday 61 to eventually tie for fourth in the Motor City. And just a few days ago, he used a Sunday 65 at the John Deere Classic to move into a tie for 21st.

In the early hours of Thursday morning over in the States, Knapp capitalized on his elite distance and hot putter to post a first-round 6-under 64 to take a share of the lead at the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.

For a guy who admits he hasn’t played much links golf in his career, Knapp’s quickly embraced using different flights and the severe contours around the putting surfaces.

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“I think just being somewhat creative and being able to hit different flights,” Knapp said when asked what the key to links golf is. “You don't practice playing—or I don't play in super high winds. Not to say it's very windy today, but for the most part you kind of want the ball on the ground and to use the ground and not try to fight it. I haven't played a ton of links golf but I feel like it fits my game pretty well. I like to be creative and hit different shots and just fits my eye.”

Knapp added that he’s started to drive it a lot better over the last month or so, and he took full advantage of that on Day 1 at a golf course where distance is a huge advantage.

As for the flatstick, he made nearly 120 feet of putts during his first competitive stroll around The Renaissance, but that didn’t include many long par putts. For the most part, Thursday was stress-free for the one-time PGA TOUR winner.

“I didn't have any momentum savers or anything,” Knapp said. “I made a good par putt on 9 so nice to see that one go in, but overall, it was pretty easy for the most part.”

So, how did he make his first 18 holes “pretty easy”?

“You can hit what you think is a decent shot and it can bounce somewhere and go somewhere funky,” Knapp said. “So you have to be able to roll with the punches. But did our best to avoid some of the areas you felt like you didn't want to be in and from there play it wherever it lies.”

For those of us who watch a lot of links golf, we know that these guys can find some miserable spots, whether that’s because of a bad kick or flip in the wind. Avoiding the big number is key around a course like this, and Knapp will have to do that for 54 more holes if we wants a shot at his second victory.

As for his plans for the rest of the day?

“I'm going to try not to let myself sleep so I don't have issues tonight for the most part.”

The big time change, man. It can be a pain, especially for the guys who spend most of their time Stateside.