Joe Highsmith What's In The Bag And Player Profile

Joe Highsmith nearly missed the cut at the Cognizant Classic but stormed through the field over the weekend to claim his maiden PGA Tour victory at PGA National.

At the start of the day, Jake Knapp, who opened the week with a 59, and Michael Kim led the way on 16 under par and for the first 10 holes it looked like Knapp was on his way to another win.

He was joined in the lead by Doug Gim, Kim and Russell Henley at various times. But it looked to be Knapp’s day at the 10th when he hit his drive into the gallery but still managed to birdie the par five. However, moments later, Highsmith, who began four behind and was playing the 13th, made his sixth birdie of the day to tie the lead.

Knapp came to grief at the 11th when his second shot found shallow water. He took off his right shoe, rolled up his trousers, placed his foot in the water and tried to salvage the situation but his third shot found the water again. He failed to find the green with his fourth and eventually made a triple bogey.

That left Highsmith with the lead, one ahead of Jacob Bridgeman and Ben Griffin with four to play. The 24-year-old American parred the 15th and 16th before holing a 20-foot putt on the 17th to move two ahead. He parred the 18th and it turned out to be good enough - and secured his place in The Masters.

• Player Profile
• Last 10 Events
• Key Stats
• What's In The Bag

He is the first golfer to win a PGA Tour event after making the cut on the number since Brandt Snedeker nine years ago in the Farmers Insurance Open. 

He said: "Augusta National is a place that has a really special place in my heart. I've only been there a couple times as a spectator and I was able to play, fortunately, with a couple members last year. I mean, it is just like the most incredible place on earth."

Player Profile

Highsmith is 24 and was born in Lakewood, Washington.

His home course, Tacoma Country & Golf Club, was where the Putnam brothers, Andrew and Michael, honed their games growing up before they reached the PGA Tour.

Frequently had chipping contests at Tacoma Country & Golf Club with RJ Manke, a future teammate at Pepperdine University and fellow Korn Ferry Tour member; they frequently spent all day at the golf club with their older brothers as kids, and today if they are all together they will play a round and follow it with a pickleball match. He once claimed he was better at pickleball than golf.

He has played piano for 12 years.

He names his favourite athletes as tennis players Gael Monfils, Nick Kyrgios, and Dustin Brown.

His caddie is Joe Lacava IV, the son of Joe Lacava, who caddied for Tiger Woods when he won The Masters in 2019.

His win at PGA National takes him from 123rd to 10th in the FedEx Cup standings, books his place in the remaining signature events this season and guarantees his place at The Masters.

This was his 34th start and he has made just 16 cuts, with two top fives and four top 10s.

Last 10 Events

Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches - 1st

Mexico Open at VidantaWorld - T17th

WM Phoenix Open - CUT

Farmers Insurance Open - CUT

The American Express - T66th

Sony Open in Hawaii - CUT

The RSM Classic - T11th

World Wide Technology Championship - 5th

Shriners Children's Open - T16th

Black Desert Championship - T6th

Key Stats

Driving Distance - 295.1 Yards

Driving Accuracy - 63.71%

Greens in Regulation - 71.60%

Sand Saves - 58.62%

Putts Per Round - 29.11

Scoring Average - 69.33

What's In Joe Highsmith's Golf Bag

Driver: Titleist GT3 (8 Degrees) 

3-Wood: Titleist GT3 (15 Degrees) 

Irons: Titleist T200 (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 50-12F, 54-14F, 58-04T)

Putter: Scotty Cameron 009M Tour Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Ball: 2025 Titleist Pro V1