Jake Knapp withdraws from Arnold Palmer Invitational

Jake Knapp withdrew from the arnold palmer Invitational minutes before his opening round, the PGA Tour announced. At 11: 50 a. m. ET on Thursday the PGA Tour said Knapp had pulled out; he had been scheduled to tee off at 12: 05 p. m. ET. Haotong Li, first on the alternate list that morning, will take his place and the Tour did not specify a reason for the withdrawal.

Arnold Palmer field shake-up: timing and replacement

The change came at short notice: the PGA Tour posted the withdrawal at 11: 50 a. m. ET on Thursday while Knapp’s tee time was set for 12: 05 p. m. ET. With only minutes between the announcement and the scheduled start of play, tournament officials moved Haotong Li—listed first on the alternate list that morning—into the field. The PGA Tour has not provided further detail on the cause of Knapp’s late withdrawal.

Knapp’s season form and what the arnold palmer Invitational means

Knapp entered the week eighth in the FedEx Cup standings and carried momentum from four consecutive top-10 finishes, including a solo sixth in his most recent start. His season ledger also contained a T-11 at the Sony Open in Hawaii as his worst finish so far, and he is already qualified for next week’s Players Championship. The PGA Tour lists the Arnold Palmer Invitational as the third signature event on its 2026 schedule, meaning a smaller field and elevated prize money; the tournament’s cut rules state the top 50 and ties, plus anyone within 10 strokes of the lead after Friday, will make the cut and be guaranteed a payout.

What happens next

Haotong Li will take Knapp’s slot and play under the event’s existing conditions while the PGA Tour moves forward with the scheduled rounds. The Tour has not released additional information about Knapp’s withdrawal; tournament officials and the PGA Tour remain the authoritative contacts for any subsequent updates on the arnold palmer field for this week.