The 2026 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches opens Thursday at PGA National's Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, marking the start of the PGA Tour's Florida swing. Brooks Koepka returns for his third PGA Tour start since rejoining from LIV Golf, joined by top-ranked players Ryan Gerard and Shane Lowry in a field affected by withdrawals and the absence of many elite competitors. The tournament features a $9.6 million purse and TV coverage on Golf Channel and NBC.
The Cognizant Classic, formerly known as the Honda Classic, has been held at PGA National's Champion Course since 2007. This par-71, 7,223-yard layout previously hosted the 1987 PGA Championship and is renowned for its challenging 'Bear Trap' holes. The event runs from February 26 to March 1, 2026, with a purse of $9.6 million, including $1.728 million for the winner.
The 123-player field includes 13 players qualified for the Masters, but lacks many top stars due to its position between four Signature Events. Withdrawals by Ben Griffin, Adam Scott, and recent Genesis Invitational winner Jacob Bridgeman have further thinned the competition. Current top-ranked participants are Ryan Gerard, ranked 26th, and Shane Lowry, 31st. Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka headlines the event in his PGA Tour homecoming, aiming to capitalize on the relatively open field.
Defending champion Joe Highsmith, who won last year at 19-under, returns alongside other notables like Billy Horschel, Aaron Rai, and Nicolai Højgaard. First-round tee times begin at 6:45 a.m. ET from tees 1 and 10, with featured groups including Lowry, Horschel, and Rai at 7:21 a.m. from tee 10.
Coverage starts with PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ from 6:45 a.m. ET Thursday and Friday, offering main feed, marquee group, featured groups, and holes streams. Golf Channel airs 2-6 p.m. ET for Rounds 1 and 2, followed by NBC and Golf Channel on the weekend. Peacock provides simulcasts of NBC broadcasts. SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio covers from noon ET Thursday.
