CAT KNAPP
I’m a former nightclub bouncer, now I’m making my way in professional golf after scooping £1.2MILLION in first PGA win
The unlikely star is celebrating after his triumph at the Mexico Open
A FORMER nightclub bouncer is celebrating today after securing his first PGA Tour victory.
American Jake Knapp stole the headlines after his two-shot triumph at the Mexico Open on Sunday.
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This was only his ninth PGA Tour start but his victory secured him nearly £1.2m in prize money.
Rookie Knapp, 29, took a job as a bouncer three years ago after failing to win a tour card.
Now the star can look forward to a spot at the Masters in April after his win at Vidanta.
Knapp said: “I didn't necessarily have my best stuff today, that's for sure.
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“I knew it was going to be nerve-wracking. I knew it was going to be tough.
“But I was super pumped on how I played the finishing stretch.”
On the job he had at the restaurant, which turned into a nightclub in the evenings, he said: “They needed a security guy and I was like: 'I don't know if I'm big enough, but I can stand there and look tough.’”
Knapp also revealed that he still sends a text message after each round to his late grandfather, who died last year.
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The ace did not hit a fairway until the eighth hole and then only found two throughout the entire round.
Knapp did not lose the lead once he had taken it, although he did twice allow Sami Valimaki to catch him as the Finn pushed him all the way.
I was working as a Morrisons delivery driver days ago, now I've just won £170k as I start making my own way in golf
Valimaki made par for a 69 to finish runner-up.
That was also a huge boost for him on his rookie campaign as he became one of the 10 leading players from the European tour to earn PGA Tour cards this year.
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