The 2026 Cognizant Classic is the PGA Tour's traditional kickoff to the Florida Swing, marking the 20th anniversary of the event being held at PGA National Resort's Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (near West Palm Beach).
It's a full-field, non-Signature event that follows high-purse Signature stops like the Genesis Invitational and precedes bigger ones like the Arnold Palmer Invitational and THE PLAYERS—making it a tough spot on the schedule for attracting top-tier stars, but still delivering solid competition on one of the Tour's most demanding tracks.
The PGA National Champion Course (par 71, approximately 7,223 yards) is outstanding. It was designed/renovated by Tom Fazio. It is notorious for its watery hazards, wind exposure, and the infamous Bear Trap (holes 15-17: a par-3 over water, a par-4 island-green approach, and a par-3 with water left).
Recent tweaks may have made parts slightly easier, but it remains a grind. The course favors strong ball-strikers, accurate irons, scrambling, and bogey avoidance—scores often hover in the mid-teens under par at best.
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2026 Cognizant Classic Betting at Bookmaker
PGA National Resort Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, is the venue for the 2026 Cognizant Classic. The Tournament runs from Thursday, February 26, through Sunday, March 1, 2026, with television coverage on Golf Channel, ESPN+, and NBC.
Purse: $9,600,000 (winner's share: $1,728,000)
FedExCup Points: 500 to the winner (standard for non-Signature events)
Format: 72-hole stroke play; cut after 36 holes to top 65 players and ties
Field Size: 121 players (slightly reduced from typical; full commitments finalized recently)
Defending Champion: Joe Highsmith (won in 2025 at -19, setting a low weekend scoring record with back-to-back 64s)
The field is lighter on elite names compared to surrounding Signature Events—no Rory McIlroy (prepping for the Masters at Augusta), Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood, or Justin Rose. Top-ranked players include: Ben Griffin (world No. 11, highest-ranked in the field) and Brooks Koepka (major winner, exempt via past PGA/U.S. Open titles; his first appearance here in years adds star power).
Other notables: Max Homa, Shane Lowry (longtime participant), Tom Kim, Will Zalatoris, Adam Scott (past champ), Aaron Rai, Ryan Gerard, Jacob Bridgeman, and more.
Past champs returning: Austin Eckroat (2024), Chris Kirk (2023), Keith Mitchell (2019), and others.
2026 Cognizant Classic Odds
Ben Griffin +1425, Jacob Bridgeman +1700, Adam Scott +2050, Shane Lowry +2150, Taylor Pendrith +2500, Rasmus Hojgaard +2500, Ryan Gerard +2700, Nicolai Hojgaard +2700, Michael Thorbjornsen +2900, Keith Mitchell +3000. All Other Players +3700 or Higher.
2026 Cognizant Classic Top Players
Ben Griffin
Griffin is the World No. 11 (OWGR) and has climbed dramatically from mid-tier status. He is coming off a breakout 2025 campaign, during which he won three PGA Tour events. So far in 2026, he has been steady but not spectacular, with his best finish around T19 (no top-10s yet through four starts, including T41 at The Genesis Invitational). His game is a good fit for this course.
Jacob Bridgeman
Bridgeman is one of the hottest players heading into the 2026 Cognizant Classic. Fresh off his breakthrough first PGA Tour win at the Genesis Invitational just last week, he's riding massive momentum as the second betting favorite this week. He surged 32 spots from his pre-win position of No. 52 to the current No. 20 in the world.
Adam Scott
Adam Scott has an OWGR of 71. He's slipped in recent years from higher rankings but remains a respected veteran with a major pedigree. Scott brings consistent cuts made, with the Riviera performance (runner-up vibes or strong Sunday charge) signaling potential momentum. Analysts note his Sunday at Genesis as a positive sign for the future.
Shane Lowry
Shane Lowry is a strong contender and one of the top value plays in the field. As a longtime participant and resident in the Palm Beach area (Jupiter, FL), he's often called the "horse-for-course" this week due to his affinity for the demanding Champion layout. His OWGR is 29th.
2026 Cognizant Classic Bookmaker Best Bets
Shane Lowry is perfectly suited for this course. He has multiple top finishes here (strong recent history, Palm Beach resident). Models rank him high for trouble avoidance and Bermuda greens. Finally, he offers a more favorable price.
Main Pick: Shane Lowry
Player Prop Pick: Ben Griffin Top 10
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