Jake Knapp shares injury update after missing Tour Championship
LA JOLLA, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Jake Knapp USA watches his tee shot on 16 during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open on February 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla, California. Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire GOLF: FEB 01 PGA, Golf Herren Farmers Insurance Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602010374
LA JOLLA, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Jake Knapp USA watches his tee shot on 16 during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open on February 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla, California. Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire GOLF: FEB 01 PGA, Golf Herren Farmers Insurance Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602010374
A left thumb injury disrupted one-time PGA Tour winner Jake Knapp's 2026 season. After failing to qualify for the Tour Championship, the American finally got the time to address it as he hopes for a speedy recovery.
Knapp’s FedExCup run ended at the BMW Championship. Thereafter, the 32-year-old wasted no time and quickly sought medical treatment to repair a ligament in his left thumb.
“Earlier this morning I underwent surgery to repair a ligament in my left thumb,” Knapp wrote on Instagram. “Happy to let you all know that everything was successful and I’ll be back to doing what I love soon!”
PGA, Golf Herren Farmers Insurance Open - First Round Jan 29, 2026 San Diego, California, USA Jake Knapp lines up a putt on the 18th hole during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course - North Course. San Diego Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course - South Course California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAbexArredondox 20260129_cec_bv8_033
PGA, Golf Herren Farmers Insurance Open - First Round Jan 29, 2026 San Diego, California, USA Jake Knapp lines up a putt on the 18th hole during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course - North Course. San Diego Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course - South Course California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAbexArredondox 20260129_cec_bv8_033
Knapp had gotten off to a strong start this season. In his first eight starts, the 32-year-old finished in the top 11 seven times and missed the cut at the PLAYERS Championship. However, the injury halted his momentum.
After a T74 at RBC Heritage, Knapp withdrew from three straight events—the Cadillac Championship, Truist Championship, and PGA Championship, signaling deeper trouble.
On his return, Knapp missed the cut at the US Open. Then, the 32-year-old again missed three cuts in his next five starts.
Hopefully, the surgery will get him back to pace.
“So thankful for my team and the doctors at HSS that helped get this done so I can get back to playing at 100%,” Knapp added on his Instagram post.
Knapp did show signs of recovery late in the season. A Top 30 finish at Bellerive would have secured his Tour Championship spot.
However, he fell short and has now undergone important surgery. No official confirmation has been made regarding his return.
Like Knapp, three-time DP World Tour winner Marco Penge is also hoping to bounce back.
From breakout to setback: Marco Penge's health battle
After a breakout 2025 season, Marco Penge was geared up to make his name on the PGA Tour. However, a recurring illness spoilt his dream.
“The whole season has been a bit of a nightmare, really,” Penge said, as per the DP World Tour's report. “I should have never started the season."
For a 27-year-old who had just relocated to the US and become a father of two, the issue affecting his ear, neck and nervous system did not help Penge at all.
However, the Englishman found balance during the six-week break he took to focus on his health. Quality family time fueled positive signs in his game.
Now, Penge aims for a strong comeback to secure his PGA Tour card by delivering his best at the Fall Series.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar