University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
L-R: Patty Tavatanakit, Jake Knapp and Bronte Law
Photo by: Getty Images
UCLA Alumni Win Three Professional Golf Events on Same Weekend
February 26, 2024 | Men's Golf, Women's Golf
LOS ANGELES – Three former UCLA golfers – Jake Knapp (men's golf) and Patty Tavatanakit and Bronte Law (women's golf) – picked up professional golf tour wins all on the same weekend.
Rookie Jake Knapp, who competed at UCLA from 2012-15, won his first PGA TOUR event at the Mexico Open at Vidanta Vallarata by two strokes with a score of 19-under (67-64-63-71) on Sunday, Feb. 25. Earlier on Sunday, Bangkok native Patty Tavatanakit won the LPGA Thailand – her first win since the ANA Inspiration – at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course by one stroke with a score of 21-under (67-67-66-67).
Tavatanakit, a UCLA student-athlete from 2017-19, needed a birdie at the par-5 closing hole to secure her win. A clutch chip shot set up a tap-in birdie for the victory.
"I'm honestly speechless. I was so nervous today and choked a bit as there are many Thai fans showing up to support me," said Tavatanakit in a post-round interview. "It's a dream come true to win a home tournament in front of my parents."
One day earlier on Saturday, UCLA alumna Bronte Law carded a final-round 64 to take victory at the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco on the Ladies European Tour. Law competed for the Bruins from 2013-16.
Knapp's success in rounds one through three was largely credited to his fairway accuracy, hitting 33 of 39 fairways Thursday-Saturday. The rookie went into Sunday with a four-shot lead as a result.
Three years ago, Knapp did not have a status on any professional tour. But he used his conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour to finish 13th in the season-long standings in 2023, and claim his PGA Tour card for this season. Knapp's victory last week came on the heels of a t-3rd finish at the Farmers Insurance Open last month.
"I just trusted myself," said Knapp, who described his experiences since UCLA to his breakthrough win as "bumpy."
Knapp credited his win to his late grandfather. Before Knapp's final round, he began his day talking to him.
"I had a little conversation with him this morning and talked about the day, and wished he could be here to watch it and experience it," Knapp said after the round. "He's one of those guys who, if I got down on myself or got nervous, he's the kind that would whack me on the back of the head and say, 'Get to work.'"
Knapp's win punched him tickets to the Masters and PGA Championship later this year. Hi is also now fully exempt through the 2026 PGA Tour season and will be in all signature events for the rest of this year.
Rookie Jake Knapp, who competed at UCLA from 2012-15, won his first PGA TOUR event at the Mexico Open at Vidanta Vallarata by two strokes with a score of 19-under (67-64-63-71) on Sunday, Feb. 25. Earlier on Sunday, Bangkok native Patty Tavatanakit won the LPGA Thailand – her first win since the ANA Inspiration – at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course by one stroke with a score of 21-under (67-67-66-67).
Tavatanakit, a UCLA student-athlete from 2017-19, needed a birdie at the par-5 closing hole to secure her win. A clutch chip shot set up a tap-in birdie for the victory.
"I'm honestly speechless. I was so nervous today and choked a bit as there are many Thai fans showing up to support me," said Tavatanakit in a post-round interview. "It's a dream come true to win a home tournament in front of my parents."
One day earlier on Saturday, UCLA alumna Bronte Law carded a final-round 64 to take victory at the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco on the Ladies European Tour. Law competed for the Bruins from 2013-16.
Knapp's success in rounds one through three was largely credited to his fairway accuracy, hitting 33 of 39 fairways Thursday-Saturday. The rookie went into Sunday with a four-shot lead as a result.
Three years ago, Knapp did not have a status on any professional tour. But he used his conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour to finish 13th in the season-long standings in 2023, and claim his PGA Tour card for this season. Knapp's victory last week came on the heels of a t-3rd finish at the Farmers Insurance Open last month.
"I just trusted myself," said Knapp, who described his experiences since UCLA to his breakthrough win as "bumpy."
Knapp credited his win to his late grandfather. Before Knapp's final round, he began his day talking to him.
"I had a little conversation with him this morning and talked about the day, and wished he could be here to watch it and experience it," Knapp said after the round. "He's one of those guys who, if I got down on myself or got nervous, he's the kind that would whack me on the back of the head and say, 'Get to work.'"
Knapp's win punched him tickets to the Masters and PGA Championship later this year. Hi is also now fully exempt through the 2026 PGA Tour season and will be in all signature events for the rest of this year.
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