PGA Tour pro reflects on “embarrassing” moment alongside major champion

Jake Knapp has been reflecting on how he endured an embarrassing moment with two-time major champion Martin Kaymer ahead of his first US Open appearance 10 years ago.

Knapp was still an up-and-coming amateur when he qualified for the 2015 US Open at Chambers Bay, where Kaymer was the defending champion.

The German was in a class of his own at Pinehurst No 2 the previous year, storming to an eight-shot victory to land his second major title just a month after also winning The Players Championship.

He collected his maiden major in 2010, when he pipped Bubba Watson to the PGA Championship title after a playoff following Dustin Johnson's infamous final-hole rules blunder.

Kaymer's triumph, back in the days when the PGA was held in August, was at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

The picturesque course, situated on the banks of Lake Michigan, was selected to host the PGA Championship for a third time in 2015, a couple of months after the US Open.

Knapp recalled how excited he was to be in the field at Chambers Bay, where he tapped into Kaymer's knowledge and advice as they played a practice round together.

But Knapp's knowledge of golf history was lacking and, as they discussed the upcoming majors remaining that year, the American asked Kaymer if he had ever played at Whistling Straits!

The awkward moment was brought to light on the SubPar podcast, hosted by former PGA Tour professional Colt Knost and ex-Korn Ferry Tour star Drew Stoltz.

"Oh gosh, that story was unreal," said Knapp, who earned his maiden PGA Tour title at the Mexico Open last year.

"So, in 2015 I got into the US Open at Chambers Bay, and back then, Martin Kaymer was one of the guys.

"He was talking about the different events he was playing that year, and the majors that were left, and the PGA Championship was at Whistling Straits that year.

"I'm not much of a golf history buff, that's not my thing. Like, I watch Tiger, I was his videos on YouTube, but I don't really care who's won what and when, that's not my business.

"So we're walking down the fairway and he's talking about how Whistling Straits is later this year, and I was like, 'oh, awesome, have you played there?'

"He just looked at me and, honestly, it was awesome. He handled it so well. "He wasn't like, 'who is this kid asking this'. He just said 'I actually won there in 2010'.

"I said, 'nice, good playing!'

"He handled it really well, and he was one of the nicest guys, but I felt a little embarrassed."