Jake Knapp withdrew from the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational just before the opening round on Thursday, citing an illness. China's Haotong Li stepped in as his replacement in the field at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando. The move allows Knapp to rest ahead of next week's Players Championship.
The 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational, the third signature event of the PGA Tour season, began without Jake Knapp, who was scheduled to tee off at 12:05 p.m. ET on Thursday. The PGA Tour announced the withdrawal at 11:50 a.m. ET via social media, with Knapp's agent confirming to Golfweek that he was dealing with an illness and chose to prioritize recovery for the upcoming Players Championship.
Knapp entered the week ranked No. 41 in the world and around eighth in the FedExCup standings, following a strong start to the season. He finished tied for 11th at the Sony Open, the Tour's opener, and then achieved four consecutive top-10 results, including a solo sixth at the Genesis Invitational. The 72-player field at Bay Hill Club and Lodge is competing for a $20 million purse, with the top 50 and ties, plus players within 10 strokes of the lead after Friday, advancing to the weekend and guaranteed payouts.
Replacing Knapp is Haotong Li of China, ranked No. 71 in the world and the first alternate. Li, who has multiple victories on the DP World Tour, is seeking his first PGA Tour win. The tournament marks a key early-season stop with its limited field and elevated stakes.
