This weekend, the 2024 Mexico Open was held at Vidanta in Vallarta, Mexico. Jake Knapp, a 29-year-old rookie from California, takes the win.
Before his PGA Tour victory, Knapp’s life took intriguing twists. He once worked as a nightclub bouncer and now, he stands tall as a PGA Tour champion, with a coveted spot at the Masters awaiting him in April. His career earnings on the PGA Tour had previously totaled $562,132, but this win catapults him into a new league of success.
On Sunday, Knapp displayed remarkable consistency, carding an even-par 71. His total score of 19 under par secured the title and a prize money of nearly $1.5 million. Knapp held his nerve amongst the pressure, sinking crucial putts and navigating the challenging course. Luck was on his side with a few errors.
While Knapp stole the spotlight, other players also left their mark. Sami Välimäki, finishing at 17 under par, experienced a dream start but faced challenges from Knapp. Välimäki also shows promise. Born on July 16, 1998, he hails from Nokia, Finland. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 2 inches, he has become a rising star in the world of golf. Välimäki’s journey to professional success is marked by intriguing twists and remarkable achievements.
As an amateur, Välimäki represented Europe in the Bonallack Trophy and the Continent of Europe team in the St Andrews Trophy. He played a pivotal role in Finland’s victory at the 2018 European Amateur Team Championship and also represented his country in the 2018 Eisenhower Trophy. His talent was evident, and during 2018, he reached as high as 10th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
Turning professional in early 2019 after completing his military service, Välimäki made an impact on the Pro Golf Tour. He secured three victories during the season, including the Open Casa Green Golf in Morocco. His consistent performance earned him a place on the Challenge Tour and later a spot on the European Tour for 2020.
In just his sixth European Tour start, Välimäki clinched victory at the 2020 Oman Open, defeating Brandon Stone in a playoff. His triumph was a testament to his skill and determination. And he didn’t stop there—Välimäki added another European Tour win to his resume by claiming the 2023 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, edging out Jorge Campillo in another thrilling playoff.
Congratulations to Jake Knapp on his well-deserved win!