Knutzon Making His Mark As A Pro

AMES, Iowa- A number of former Iowa State student-athletes are forging outstanding professional athletic careers following graduation. Count golfer Jason Knutzon on the list of ISU success stories.

Knutzon is currently in his sixth year as a member of the Asian Tour and his continued improvement on the pro tour has made him a rising star in overseas golf since graduating from ISU in 1999. Knutzon is currently on break from the tour and is back in the United States practicing near his home in Altoona while preparing for the 2008 John Deere Classic, July 10-13 in Silvis, Ill. Knutzon received a sponsor exemption to play in the PGA Tour event and is looking forward to competing close to home against the PGA's best.

“Anytime you get a chance to play in an event like this close to home you have to go after it,” Knutzon said. “I played in it (John Deere Classic) in 2005 and made the cut. It is a great tournament and it will be fun to play in front of familiar faces.”

Knutzon left an indelible impression on the Cyclone men's golf program from 1995-99. A four-year NCAA Regional participant, Knutzon was a first-team all-Big 12 selection in 1997 after shattering ISU's single-season stroke average mark (72.71). He held the record for 11 years until Chris Baker topped him last season.

The Eagle Grove, Iowa native, turned professional after his Cyclone career, playing in local professional events throughout the Midwest and joining the Buy.com Tour (now the Nationwide Tour) in 2001. He quickly learned there was money to be made overseas, so he jumpstarted his career by joining the Asian Tour in 2003.

“It's a year round tour that starts in January and ends in December,” Knutzon said. “There are probably 30 events and I play somewhere between 15 and 20 events a year. The Tour takes a break in the summer and the bigger events are co-sanctioned with the European Tour. Those are the high profile tournaments that are aired on the Golf Channel. If you play well in those, you might get noticed a little bit on TV for awhile. You would be surprised, it's a great tour. I can't complain. It's been a great place to play.”

The former Cyclone is more than just a player fighting weekly to make cuts. Knutzon has two Asian Tour victories to his credit, claiming the 2004 Macau Open and the 2007 Motorola International in Bintan, Indonesia titles. His first tour win is arguably his most memorable. Knutzon birdied the last two holes, including a chip-in birdie on No. 17, en route to a final-round 67 to snare his inaugural victory. Knutzon was paired with Ireland's Padraig Harrington in the final round, outdueling the 2007 British Open champion and the current 15th-best player in the world.

“That was pretty neat and a lot of fun,” Knutzon recollected. “I played really well on the back nine and Harrington pretty much had the lead the whole time, then I kind of stormed past him. It was a special moment in my career.”

Knutzon, who accumulated a career-high $163,247 of earnings on the Asian Tour in 2007, reached one of his ultimate goals as a golfer in the summer of 2003. He qualified for the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Ill., missing the cut with a 36-hole 151 tally.

“Obviously, it was an awesome experience,” Knutzon said. “I would say it was probably the most nervous I have ever been at a tournament. I feel like I am a lot more prepared now then I was then. I have played in so many big events since then and I feel I would handle it a little better now.”

His Cyclone roots run deep. He sported a Cyclone headcover for many years after graduation and does not hide his allegiance to his alma mater.

“I am still a diehard Cyclone fan, that's a no-brainer,” Knutzon added. “I try to go to as many games as I can when I am back. We get a bunch of my old college buddies back, and we try to pick at least one game to attend. I try to hit at least one or two football games and some basketball games as well.”

Players Mentioned

Chris Baker

Chris Baker

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