Blog#217 Cognizant Feb 22- Mar 2, 2025 

Blog#217 Cognizant Feb 22- Mar 2, 2025 

PGA National Champions Course Par 71 Purse $9.2M+200K 2%

HISTORY

This had been The Honda Classic and before that the Jackie Gleason Inveraray Classic.  Last year Rory McIlroy was the favorite and finished 22nd when Austin Eckroat got his 1st win, he is 50/1 to repeat.

Field is 144 with 4 qualifying on Monday.  This will all change next year when the maximum # of golfers for every tournament will be 100.  

Odds given by CBS Sports only include the top 76 players.

My Commentary in Blog #218 Monday will examine the finishing stats.

FAVORITES

1 Shane Lowry 20/1 Tied for 1st thru 3 RDs last year, finished 4th.

2 Russell Henley 22/1 Led Genesis after Rd 1 finished 5th. 

3 Sungjae Im 22/1 Picked to win American Express and didn’t make cut.

4 Sepp Straka 22/1 Won American Express this year and has played well.

5 Daniel Berger 28/1 Placed 4th here in 2022, playing well this year.

6 Taylor Pendrith 30/1 Has not played much or been on leader board this year.

7 Min Woo Lee 33/1 Same as Pendrith.

8 Ben An 35/1 Also like #6&7.  Can’t see him winning.

9 Kieth Mitchel 35/1 Very likable player but rarely in contention.

10 Denny McCarthy 40/1 Of the bottom 5, may be a smart bet at these odd.

MY WINNER Sepp Straka won this tournament in 2022 beat Shane Lowry by 1. 

in 2023 won The John Deere & tied for 2nd at THE OPEN. 

LONGSHOT

1 Max Greyserman  50/1 Best finish #24 at Sentry but will win sometime this year.

2 Jordan Spieth 40/1 I think his wrist is still a problem, but he is playing well.

3 Patrick Rogers 50/1 Has been knocking on the door for his 1st win this year.

4 Jake Knapp 80/1 Played well early at Pebble Bech, has to put 4 RDs together.   

5 Harry Higgs (+150/1) His 5th time for this tournament average finish 39th.

One of my favorites, just hope he makes the top 10.  Born in Camden NJ, raised in

Overland Park KS, lives in Dallas and a big Eagles fan, and just keeps plugging!!!

COMMENTARY 

Bear trap considered one of the most difficult 3 hole stretches on Tour.

#15 Par 3 is a semi-island green over water with 2 bunkers beyond the green.

#16 Par 4 Also over water with a difficult 2 tier putting green.

#17 Par 3 Another over water with a tricky bunker to the left of green.