Golf: Knapp qualifies for first PGA Tour event

There was excitement, yet calmness for Jake Knapp when the former Estancia High standout golfer qualified for his first PGA Tour event Monday.

How could he not be excited? Yet, Knapp could also keep his cool because this was part of the plan. Some call it a dream. Well, some of it was fulfilled at El Camino Country Club in Oceanside.

Knapp, a UCLA junior, shot seven-under-par 65 to qualify for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

He spent most of Tuesday practicing at Torrey Pines, playing with Max Homa and Kevin Chappell, who are also in the field for the tournament that starts on Thursday.

“It’s a little bit surreal,” Knapp, 20, said of qualifying. “It’s obviously something I have dreamed about for a long time. But now that I’m getting older, it’s not something where I totally want to say I expected it, but playing on this level I do sort of expect it. But also I didn’t know how to feel. I’m just trying to adjust and get ready to go play a golf tournament.”

Even though there’s a sense he belongs in the pro tournament, Knapp admitted being nervous as he prepares for the Farmers Insurance Open. He knows the nerves will mount, but after all the work and practice he has put in for these type of moments he is anxious to begin play at Torrey Pines.

Knapp, the medalist of the Husky Invitational for the Bruins in September, qualified with eight birdies and one bogey at El Camino. He qualified with three others, Daniel Miernicki, Kyle Thompson and Jin Park, who also shot 65.

“Absolutely I feel nervous,” Knapp said Tuesday night. “When it comes to the first tee that will be most nervous I will ever be. It’s excitement. I’ve been waiting for this for 15 years. It’s really exciting.”