COGNIZANT CLASSIC Feb 29-Mar 3, 2024

COGNIZANT CLASSIC Feb 29-Mar 3, 2024

PGA National Resort & Spa

Champion Course

Palm Beach Gardens FL Purse 9M+50K 5% Par 71

HISTORY

The new sponsor is Cognizant, an IT company located in Teaneck NJ.  It was formally the Honda classic and was founded in 1972 as The Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic.

It starts the Florida swing followed by the Arnold Palmer, The Players, and the Valspar.  There are 144 players in this limited field, as it is not a signature event.  However Rory McIlroy is playing for the third time this year and is favored.  Last year Chris Kirk-14 defeated Eric Cole in a playoff.  In this years first 8 tournaments NO favorites or predicted longshots have won.  

I feel that trend may continue, and someone other than 13 listed below could win again.

FAVORITES

Rory McIlroy 6/1 He seems ready to have a push for the Masters, I don’t think he wins yet.

Cameron Young 20/1 We have been waiting for him to break through with a win, maybe now.

Russell Henley 22/1 He doesn’t seem to have the game to finish.

Matt Fitzpatrick 25/1 He has been hot and cold since winning the 2022 US Open.

Eric Cole 30/1 Lost in a playoff last year and he has been close, this may be his time.

Min Woo Lee 30/1 Another player who seems to be in the hunt but does not seem able to finish

Byeong Hun(Ben)An 30/1 Has not won on PGA, lost in 3 playoffs including 2024 Sony.

Tom Kim 30/1  Has not played up to his start last few years, he is due.

LONGSHOTS

J.T. Poston 33/1 Always seems to be in the hunt  but does not win.

Shane Lowry 35/1 He finished 5th last year-9

Matthieu Pavon 45/1 Won Farmers at Torrey Pines then rested, if he putts like there, he wins. 

Jake Knapp 55/1 Hard to win 2 in a row, but he was so poised in Mexico, maybe he does.

Doug Ghim 80/1 finished 8th in Mexico with a very consistent RD, could be a sleeper.  

Holes 15,16,17 “THE BEAR TRAP” designed by Jack Nicklaus but 14 may be harder.

#10 530 Par 5 Extended 25 yards to increase it to a par 5 and increase par to 71.

#14 465 Par 4 Some say this is harder than Bear Trap.

#15 179 Par 3 Water on right and 2 bunkers beyond the green.

#16 434 Par 4 Water on right and fairway bunkers.  Intimidating bunker beyond green.

#17 190 Par 3 Over water, most difficult of 3 holes.