Jake Knapp withdrew from the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational just minutes before starting his opening round.
At 11:50 a.m. ET on Thursday, the PGA Tour announced via social media that Knapp had withdrawn. He was set to tee off at 12:05 p.m. China’s Haotong Li, who was first on the alternate list Thursday morning, will take his place. The Tour did not specify a reason for Knapp’s withdrawal.
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Jake Knapp of the United States reacts to his putt on the first green during the final round of The Genesis Invitational 2026 at Riviera Country Club on February 22, 2026 in Pacific Palisades, California.
Knapp is off to an excellent start in 2026. He entered the week at eighth in the FedEx Cup standings, having racked up four consecutive top-10s, including a solo sixth-place finish in his last start at the Genesis Invitational. His worst finish so far this season was a T-11 at the Tour’s season opener, the Sony Open in Hawaii. He is already qualified for next week’s Players Championship.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational is the third signature event on the PGA Tour’s 2026 schedule, meaning it’s a smaller field with elevated prize money. The top 50 and ties, plus anyone within 10 strokes of the lead after Friday, will make the cut and will be guaranteed a payout.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Arnold Palmer Invitational 2026: Jake Knapp withdraws last-minute
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