Jake Knapp takes a one shot lead into final round of the Cognizant Classic

PALM BEACH GARDENS – Jake Knapp had a strange round on March 1 at the Cognizant Classic, but he was back in first place when it concluded.

Knapp birdied the final hole to card a three-under 68, and the American held a one-shot lead following the third round at PGA National Resort’s Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

“A little bit all over the place,” Knapp said about his two-bogey, five-birdie performance. “I feel like I played pretty solid. I kind of misjudged a few things and definitely made a few bad swings.”

Knapp, who opened the tournament with a 59, is at 16 under for the tournament.

Aiming for his second PGA Tour victory, Knapp has a one-stroke advantage over Michael Kim, who also birdied the final hole for 67.

“There’s plenty of great players out here who can go stupid low, so just have to try to stick to my game plan,” Knapp said.

Kim rolled in a birdie putt of slightly more than three feet to close the round, temporarily pulling even with Knapp.

“I scrapped it around and kind of got it figured out towards the back nine,” Kim said. “I have a good chance heading into tomorrow, which is all I can ask for.”

Knapp had a birdie and two bogeys across the first seven holes. He played the backside at four under, capped by a short final putt.

“If I feel good with my game, I’ve always felt like I was fairly comfortable even in contention,” Kim said. “I’m sure I’ll be nervous tomorrow, but as long as I feel like my game is there, then I’ll know I have a chance.”

Course conditions have toughened over the last couple of days.

“It’s just a lot less pin hunting,” Knapp said. “It’s a