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At 11:50 a.m. ET on Thursday, the PGA Tour announced via social media that Knapp had withdrawn.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. His agent told Golfweek’s Adam Schupak that Knapp is dealing with an illness and opted to rest up ahead of next week’s Players Championship. China’s Haotong Li, who was first on the alternate list Thursday morning, will take his place at Bay Hill.
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.
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.
