Jake Knapp's impressive PGA Tour season hit an unexpected snag on Thursday when he withdrew from the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral, citing a left thumb sprain. The 31-year-old, who has been on a tear with eight made cuts in nine starts and five top-10 finishes, was forced to pull out just before his first-round tee time. This isn't the first late scratch for Knapp this season—he also withdrew from the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational shortly before his opening round.

Knapp had already sat out the pro-am on Wednesday, and eagle-eyed fans spotted tape on his hand during practice, hinting at the injury. With his one PGA Tour victory already under his belt, this setback is a tough blow for a player who's been a consistent threat on the leaderboard. His absence opens the door for Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan, who stepped in as the first alternate after Patrick Cantlay withdrew due to illness earlier in the week. Reitan, who tied for second with teammate Kris Ventura, now takes Knapp's spot in the 12:35 p.m. ET tee time alongside J.T. Poston.

For golf fans and apparel enthusiasts alike, this is a reminder that even the hottest players can face unexpected hurdles. While Knapp's thumb heals, keep an eye on Reitan—he's got the momentum to make a splash at Doral. As the tournament unfolds, we'll see if this shakeup adds a new twist to the weekend's action.