PGA Tour players including Billy Horschel and Shane Lowry have voiced concerns over the setup at PGA National's Champion Course ahead of the 2026 Cognizant Classic. The course has been lengthened by 56 yards total, while overseeding with rye grass has made it easier, leading to record-low winning scores in recent years. Players argue for a return to its historically challenging conditions.
The Cognizant Classic, hosted at PGA National's Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has undergone changes that have sparked debate among PGA Tour professionals. For the second consecutive week, course adjustments have trended longer, with PGA National adding 20 yards to the 2nd hole, extending it to 484 yards, and 36 yards to the 18th hole, reaching 592 yards. These modifications, totaling 56 yards, aim to increase difficulty, but players question their effectiveness given other factors.
Historically, the Champion Course, known for the Bear Trap (holes 15-17), was one of the PGA Tour's toughest tests. From 2007 to 2020, winning scores rarely exceeded single digits under par, with examples including Mark Wilson's 5-under in 2007 and Ernie Els' 6-under in 2008. However, recent years have seen a shift: Chris Kirk won at 14-under in 2023, Austin Eckroat at 17-under in 2024, and Joe Highsmith at 19-under in 2025, setting a course record with a 265 total.
Players attribute the lower scores to overseeding the Bermuda grass with rye in winter, which enhances the visual appeal for television but softens the rough, reducing penalties for errant shots. Billy Horschel, an eight-time PGA Tour winner with 13 starts at the event, clarified on social media that the decision lies with PGA National's owners, not the Tour. "Unfortunately, not the [PGA] Tour’s fault. Owners of PGA National do it. Tour have tried to state why it shouldn’t be overseeded but end of the day it’s out of their hands," Horschel wrote. He advocated for the Tour to gain complete control over setups.
Shane Lowry, a local resident and major champion, echoed these sentiments in his pre-tournament press conference. "It’s going to play easier than I prefer," Lowry said. "It’s going to look great on TV, lovely and green. But I probably would like to see a bit more of the old traditional setup. I like that the rough is a bit thicker this year." He hopes for scoring more akin to the course's past, avoiding extremes like 59s.
PGA Tour chief referee Steve Rintoul stated that the organization works closely with venues to balance presentation and challenge. This year, thicker rough may temper scores, with Horschel predicting a winning total around 12- to 14-under. The event begins Thursday on Golf Channel at 2 p.m. ET, promising a test of the field's adaptability amid these evolving conditions.
