The PGA Tour's Florida Swing begins with the 2026 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National's Champion Course. Shane Lowry and Ryan Gerard emerge as co-favorites following withdrawals by top contenders like Jacob Bridgeman and Ben Griffin. The event features a $9.6 million purse and marks the 20th anniversary at the venue.
The 2026 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches starts on Thursday, February 26, at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This par-71 layout measures 7,223 yards, with recent modifications including new tees on the par-4 second hole, now up to 484 yards, and the par-5 18th extended to 592 yards. Water hazards come into play on 15 holes, including the challenging 'Bear Trap' stretch on holes 15-17.
Defending champion Joe Highsmith won last year at 19-under par with a tournament-record 265 at PGA National, beating J.J. Spaun and Jacob Bridgeman by two shots. Highsmith made the cut on the number before posting two 64s over the weekend. The course averaged 69.262 last year, reflecting relatively low scoring conditions.
Withdrawals on Monday reshaped the odds: Genesis Invitational winner Jacob Bridgeman, pre-tournament favorite Ben Griffin, and Adam Scott all pulled out, leaving no players in the top 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking. Shane Lowry (+1400 to +1950) and Ryan Gerard (+1600 to +1950) now top the betting lists across sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings. Lowry has finished no worse than T11 in his last four starts here, including a runner-up in 2022. Gerard placed fourth in 2023 and T25 in 2025, bolstered by runner-up finishes at the Sony Open and The American Express this season.
Other notables include Brooks Koepka (+2700), returning after missing the cut at the WM Phoenix Open; the Hojgaard twins, Nicolai and Rasmus (+2000 to +2400); and Michael Thorbjornsen (+2200). The field of 123 lacks the world's top 10 but includes past champions like Chris Kirk (+4000) and Keith Mitchell (+2700), who won in 2019.
Weather forecasts predict daytime highs above 80°F with southeast seabreezes early in the week. The winner earns 500 FedExCup points and contributes to Aon Next 10 and Swing 5 qualifications for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Broadcast coverage airs on Golf Channel and NBC.
