The PGA Championship is set to tee off on Thursday this week at Aronimink Golf Club, boasting an impressive field. But unfortunately, Jake Knapp is not in it again.
The golfer is dealing with a left thumb issue that has kept him out of consecutive PGA Tour events. He has missed the Cadillac Championship as well as the Truist Championship.
The PGA Championship management confirmed the news on Monday. With Knapp’s exit, Tom Hoge has been added to the field.
The 31-year-old started the 2026 season in superb form with five top-10 finishes in 9 starts. Knapp has already added over $3 million in prize money to his career total of $9.2 million. His only missed cut of the season came at The Players Championship, which made his stretch of form look more sustainable than streaky.
He last participated in the RBC Heritage, finishing tied for 74th with a score of 2-over par. “Didn’t have my best stuff this week, but on to the next. Ready for a week back home to grind before our next stretch,” he wrote after the event, signalling that he was perfectly fine then. The accident happened while he flew back home.
Jake Knapp’s Latest Injury Update
Just caught up to Jake Knapp’s pro-am group at 16 tee. Jake and his caddie walking without a bag today. Left hand bandaged up.
Still going over sight-lines on each hole and talking yardages, but obviously no swings on-course.
After the Harbour Town event, he was observed at Trump Doral during the Cadillac Championship week, walking with his pro-am group. His left hand was bandaged up.
“Just caught up to Jake Knapp’s pro-am group at 16 tee. Jake and his caddie walking without a bag today,” X user Flag Hunting Pod wrote. “Left hand bandaged up. Still going over sight-lines on each hole and talking yardages, but obviously no swings on-course.”
Since then, that injury has kept him out of active play.
Jake Knapp’s Journey to PGA Tour
Knapp has worked hard to reach where he is. After turning pro in 2016, he was grinding it out at the PGA Tour Canada from 2016 to 2019 and again in 2022. In the Korn Ferry Tour, he played in 2020, 2021 and 2023. He lost his full-time membership in 2021 and then had to take a job as a bouncer at The Country Club in Costa Mesa to stay financially afloat, per Golf Channel.
“Standing there at 1 in the morning every Friday and Saturday night, you kind of realize how good you have it when you get to travel and play golf for a living,” Knapp said. “… It just kind of gave me some thicker skin and allowed me to get to where I am now.”
In 2023, Knapp finished 13th on the points list, earning his PGA Tour card. He joined the tour in 2024 and, as a rookie, won the Mexico Open at Vidanta at 19-under par. Since then, he hasn’t looked back. He is currently ranked No. 39 in the world, with a career-best ranking of 36th.
In 2025, however, tragedy struck Knapp again. His girlfriend of two years, Makena White, passed away at the age of 28. On Sept. 26, one of her close friends posted the sad news on Instagram.
“It’s an understatement to say how hard all of this is to process for everyone who knew Mak, especially her family and friends, who deserve privacy and respect during this difficult time,” Knapp said to the Associated Press.
“Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate,” he added. “We shared so many unforgettable memories together and now that she’s no longer with us, it’s a tough reality to comprehend. She had an incredible family, great friends, and her fun, outgoing energy will be missed by all of us.”
$9 Million Golfer Unfortunately Withdraws from PGA Championship