Who Is Jake Knapp's Caddie?
Less than 18 months after earning his PGA Tour card, Jake Knapp had a win and a 59 on his resume, and alongside him as he's built his reputation has been caddie Mike Stephens


Jake Knapp had to wait for his chance to make it to the PGA Tour.
The Californian turned professional in 2016, and for the next three years played on the PGA Tour Canada. After three wins, he then graduated to the Korn Ferry Tour, where he played for two years, before another stint on the PGA Tour Canada in 2022.
A year later, Knapp had made it back to the Korn Ferry Tour, and this time, he finished 13th on its points list to earn his PGA Tour card for the 2024 season. Alongside him as he earned his card was caddie Mike Stephens, and the two were still working together as Knapp embarked on his rookie PGA Tour season.
The pair worked together on the Korn Ferry Tour
To say they made the chance count would be an understatement. In just his third PGA Tour appearance of the season, Knapp finished T3 at the Farmers Insurance Open, and two events later, he had seen off Sami Valimaki for his maiden PGA Tour victory, at the Mexico Open.
Following that win, Stephens spoke to Hometown News, where he admitted the desire to help Knapp get a maiden PGA Tour win had left him on edge. He said: “I was terrified. Missing fairways. I could feel the tension. Fortunately, we were well ahead of third place, and we knew it was going to be first or second at worst. We really wanted the win though.”
Stephens helped Knapp win the 2024 Mexico Open
Stephens was just 25 when he helped guide Knapp to victory in Mexico, but he appears to be wise beyond his years, at least on the evidence of his approach in guiding Knapp to shooting a 59 at the 2025 Cognizant Classic - just the 15th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history.
Knapp achieved that extraordinary feat during the opening round of the PGA National tournament, but despite the chance of making history opening up before them, Stephens was determined the player would stay in the moment by keeping his routine the same over the closing holes.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
He said: “I think if anything, maybe your playing competitors try to give you a little distance or whatnot, but he likes to talk. So, we’d kind of go over things on the last couple (holes), to try to fill the time. Just to keep it the same. ... Just another day.”
That tactic clearly rubbed off on Knapp, who said: "I thought I did a good job of just trying to focus on shot by shot and not letting what happened or what could happen affect anything."
While Stephens’ work alongside Knapp has played an important part in his rise, he’s also not a bad player. Per a 2024 Golf.com article, which documented the authors’ experience at close quarters with Knapp and his caddie in a pro-am, Stephens was not only "a lot of fun" but “the second-best golfer in the group."
Even if Stephens is no slouch when it comes to playing the game, it is undoubtedly his ability to bring the best out of Knapp where he is making a real name for himself.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
Finally! Rory McIlroy's New Nike Shoes Have Arrived And Here Is How You Can Get Them
After months of waiting, the latest Victory Tour shoes have gone on sale, and here I have detailed how you can get a pair.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Valero Texas Open 2025 Picks, Predictions And Odds
The last event before The Masters takes place at the Valero Texas Open, where there is one final spot available for the first men's Major of 2025
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Who Is Jacob Bridgeman's Fiancée?
Jacob Bridgeman is one of the rising stars of the PGA Tour, but who is his partner?
By Mike Hall Published
-
Who Is Jacob Bridgeman's Caddie?
The PGA Tour pro is one of the rising stars of the game, and assisting him in the early years of his pro career has been caddie GW Cable
By Mike Hall Published
-
Who Is Luke Clanton's Caddie? Meet Jason Wiertel
Luke Clanton was one of the first graduates from the PGA Tour U Accelerated program and has been with his caddie since long before turning professional
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Takumi Kanaya Facts: 20 Things You Didn't Know About The Japanese Golfer
Find out more about Japanese professional golfer, Takumi Kanaya's life and career in the game so far via these facts...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Mac Meissner Facts: 16 Things You Didn't Know About The PGA Tour Pro
Get to know American professional golfer, Mac Meissner, with these facts about his life and career in the game so far...
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Kristoffer Ventura Facts: 16 Things You Didn't Know About The Norwegian Golfer
Discover more about professional golfer, Kristoffer Ventura via these facts about his life and career in the game so far...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Greyson Sigg Facts: 17 Things You Didn't Know About The PGA Tour Pro
Get to know American professional golfer, Greyson Sigg with these facts about his life and career in the game so far...
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Who Is J.J. Spaun's Wife?
J.J Spaun has been married to wife Melody since 2019 - here's what we know about her
By Mike Hall Published