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The PGA Tour’s annual swing through Florida begins this week with the field assembled in Palm Beach Gardens for the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, the first of four events taking place in the Sunshine State. With more notable tournaments on the horizon, including the year’s first major, some high-profile players are sitting this one out. Early PGA Tour odds at Proline+ list Shane Lowry as the betting favorite and the only player with shorter than 20/1 odds. Russell Henley is the second favorite and the highest ranked player in the OWGR at No. 17. Henley won here in 2014 in a playoff and is one of nine former winners in the field. Austin Eckroat is back to defend the title he won last year and is looking to become the first back-to-back winner of this tournament since Jack Nicklaus did so in the late 1970s.
Venue: The Champion Course at PGA National Resort took over permanent hosting duties in 2007 and the Tour hasn’t looked back. At less than 7,200 yards at par 71 the course isn’t long, but it annually ranks as one of the more difficult setups on Tour. It is Florida so water is a big obstacle with 15 holes having water in play making this an irons and approach setup. The legendary “Bear Trap” of holes 15-17 also creates plenty of drama. Many golf balls have hit the water in the Trap over the years making the finish something to behold.
Last Year: Eckroat closed with a 4-under 67 to claim his first PGA Tour title fending off Min Woo Lee and Erik van Rooyen by three swings. Eckroat’s 17-under total was the best winning score at PGA National and the tournament’s best since Justin Leonard carded a tournament record 24-under in 2003.
TV Coverage: Golf Channel, NBC
Odds to Win Cognizant Classic
Shane Lowry +1850
Russell Henley +2050
Sungjae Im +2150
Sepp Straka +2450
Daniel Berger +2500
Taylor Pendrith +2650
Denny McCarthy +2850
Davis Thompson +3050
Min Woo Lee +3150
Kurt Kitayama +3370
Byeong Hun An +4030
Ben Griffin +4080
Keith Mitchell +4080
Cameron Young +4540
Jordan Spieth +4750
Beau Hossler +4880
Billy Horschel +5060
Rickie Fowler +5080
Max Greyserman +5180
Patrick Rodgers +5290
Brian Harman +5380
Alex Smalley +5390
Lucas Glover +5530
Michael Kim +5540
Taylor Moore +5590
Favorite
Shane Lowry +1850
A run of strong form coupled with a successful history in this event have Lowry perched at the top of the odds board. His last three starts in this event have yielded top 5 finishes with a runner-up in the 2022 edition when he fell by one swing. Lowry was tied for the lead entering the final round last year but stumbled to a fourth place finish. He’s also finished among the top 15 in nine of his last 11 starts worldwide.
Value Picks
Russell Henley +2050
A fixture at this tournament Henley has produced some fantastic results in his 10 starts, including a win in 2014. He also had a stretch of four consecutive top 25s that culminated with a podium finish in the 2021 edition. And he’s been dialed in this season with a pair of top 10s in four starts giving him six over his last 14 starts.
Ben Griffin +4080
Every week it appears as though Griffin gets more confidence in his game making a worthwhile pick in a field that’s to his liking. He closed last year with four straight top 25s and already has a pair of top 10s this season with a best T4 last week in Mexico. Griffin debuted in this event in 2023 recording a T21 making him someone to consider.
Billy Horschel +5060
The Florida native admittedly prefers Bermuda grass and he’ll get plenty of it this week. That alone is probably worth a few strokes meaning more as Horschel seeks a first victory in his home state. It’s been a rocky few months since winning the DP World Tour’s BMW PGA Championship in September with back to back MCs. He’s been solid in this event posting three top 10s among five top 25s.
Lee Hodges +6180
Credit improved putting for Hodges ascending up the Tour ranks. That coupled with a strong all-around game puts Hodges in the crosshairs. He’s played the weekend in all five starts this season that includes a pair of top 10 finishes, and he also has a pair of top 15s in three starts at this event. We’ve seen players further down the odds board come up large in similar field events and Hodges has a good price in the hunt for value.
Check out the latest Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches odds at Proline+
