John Pak Takes Lead at Charles Schwab Challenge After Knicks Loss Inspiration

Fort Worth, Texas — John Pak, a self-proclaimed ‘die-hard Knicks fan,’ took the lead at the 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge with a career-low round of seven-under 63 on Thursday. The 24-year-old golfer finds himself atop the leaderboard as NBA fever surrounds the New York Knicks, who are experiencing a resurgence in the playoffs for the first time in 25 years.

Pak, who hails from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, is riding high after a stellar performance on the course. The Knicks faced disappointment in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, and Pak revealed that the loss motivated him during his opening round.

“That was historically one of the worst losses I’ve ever seen in my life,” Pak said. “There was a fire lit under me, yeah, this morning. I was a little pissed off about that.”

Despite his affinity for the Knicks, Pak has struggled to make a mark in his career, having not yet secured a top-10 finish in 27 PGA Tour starts. However, his impressive round puts him five shots ahead of newly crowned PGA champion Scottie Scheffler.

In his post-round press conference, Pak reflected on the previous night, stating, “Thankfully the Knicks aren’t playing tonight, so I won’t be stressed about that.” He credited the Knicks defeat for fueling his focus and determination on the golf course.

Pak also expressed the challenges of being a fan when it comes to attending Knicks games. “No, it’s too hard,” he said when asked if he had attended any games this season. “It’s Madison Square Garden. Those tickets go for a gazillion dollars.”

Having established himself as a top contender at the Charles Schwab Challenge, Pak is poised to earn his biggest career payout of $1.71 million should he secure victory. This win could grant him access to more Knicks games if their playoff run continues past this season.