Junior Golf: Knapp sizzles with 60

Somewhere during 54 holes of play in two days, Jake Knapp found his groove and then some.

Most people who know Knapp talk about his great potential. Well, the Estancia High junior-to-be showed what he’s capable of during a remarkable round Tuesday.

Knapp shot a 10-under-par 60 to win the Junior World Qualifier at Buenaventura Golf Course. He opened with three birdies and an eagle. Overall, he had eight birdies and two eagles. He was at five-under after the front nine, and he matched that on the back.

“This year has been a really great year for me,” Knapp said. “I’ve been playing really well. That’s the first round I had everything go right for me. I played smart. I was making my putts and hitting my shots all day.”

Knapp eagled the 471-yard par-five No. 4 hole and closed out the day with an eagle on the 473-yard par-five No. 18. He was excited with his career low, which was impressive since it came after he had played 36 holes Monday in the U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier at Mesa Verde Country Club. He went 75-79 there.

Eighteen more holes of play came on Wednesday.

Knapp competed in the Cal State Boys’ Qualifier at Simi Hills Golf Course. He shot two-over 72 and did not qualify.

He said he had still been on an high from Tuesday. Also, he was tired

“I played 54 holes in two days,” Knapp said. “I had to wake up early [Wednesday] and drive all the way out there. I think I was just thinking too much about [Tuesday]. [Tuesday] was just ridiculous.”

Knapp won Tuesday’s qualifer by two strokes ahead of Jake Katz of Thousand Oaks.

Mike Moorhead, who will be a junior for Corona del Mar High in the fall, wasn’t that far behind, as he carded a 65.