PGA Championship star forced to pull out at last moment as statement released
The golf star has removed himself from the field for the second major of the year.
Jake Knapp has once again withdrawn from a tournament field this season, as he will be absent from the PGA Championship at Aronimink. Knapp pulled out of the second major of the year in Philadelphia due to a thumb sprain, opening the door for Tom Hoge to compete amongst the world's finest players.
A statement from the PGA read: "FIELD UPDATE Jake Knapp has withdrawn from the 2026 PGA Championship due to injury. Tom Hoge is now in the field." Hoge boasts a solitary PGA Tour victory and will be chasing his first-ever major title at the return of major championship golf to the Philadelphia region for the first time since 2013. Knapp also stepped back earlier this season from a PGA Tour signature event at the Arnold Palmer Invitational through illness, where Akshay Bhatia claimed the trophy.
Knapp's sole PGA Tour victory came at the 2024 Mexico Open at Vidanta and he will be targeting a return to action at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson following the PGA Championship.
Hoge will line up alongside World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth, both of whom are hoping to make history and secure the career Grand Slam this year.
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"It would be amazing, right, because it's just a very, very short list in history," said Spieth ahead of the tournament, where he is making his 14th start.
"So, you know, at the same time winning the PGA itself, you get to then play in the PGA for however long they allow you to. I don't actually know the rules on the PGA. Is it 60? Forever? Or till you're possibly asked that maybe we celebrate this as your - the same way Augusta does.
"Just winning this tournament in general would be very special. The Ryder Cup's been such an important part of my life, and The PGA of America, having my instructor that I've been with for pretty much my whole career be a PGA of America professional, so there's many reasons."
Spieth has long been a crowd favourite on the PGA Tour, and the 13-time PGA Tour winner would join an exclusive group of just six other players should he claim the title.
"Just go out and get ready for the first hole," said Spieth of his intentions. "Get a good game plan in and attack it the way it needs to be attacked. My game has been getting better and better.
"It's plenty good to have a chance to win. It's about working my way into contention. I was able to do that a couple weeks ago. Being in the last couple groups this weekend the first time this season. Glad I was there and hopefully I can do that week and do better."
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