PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida — Jake Knapp is paired for the first time with four-time majors champion Rory McIlroy alongside defending champion Chris Kirk for the first two rounds of the Cognizant Classic at PGA National. The marquee pairing indicates the prominence Mr. Knapp has gained after capturing his first PGA Tour victory last Sunday at the Mexico Open.

“It’s very surreal, to be honest,” Mr. Knapp said during a press conference at the first tournament of the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing. “I’ve never met Rory, so I’m super excited to play with him. It’ll be cool to see his action in person. I’m sure there will be a bunch of people around.”