IIt wasn’t that long ago that what is now called the Cognizant Classic — it was the Honda Classic for nearly four decades — felt like an A-lister on the PGA Tour schedule.
As of 2012, the list of winners included Rory McIlroy, Russell Henley, Pádraig Harrington, Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas, with the lesser known Michael Thompson taking victory during a seven-year run.
PGA National, full of water hazards and the looming Bear Trap finish, attracted many of the best players on tour, several of whom lived in the same area.
It’s not like that anymore.
As the Cognizant Classic begins today in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, No. 26 Ryan Gerard is the highest-ranked player in the field. Ben Griffin, ranked 11th, was an early commitment but withdrew late, as did Scott and rising star Jacob Bridgeman, further diluting a diluted field.
The dilemma of the Cognizant Classic is illustrative of the tour’s new model, structured around signature events and the major championships.
Sandwiched into the schedule between back-to-back signature events at Pebble Beach and Riviera and right before another signature event – the Arnold Palmer Invitational – and the Players Championship, it’s a logical week off for top players, although several did play TGL matches nearby on Monday and Tuesday.
“We’ve always had this problem. Ten years ago this event was incredible for the field, but where it fell in the schedule was really good for a lot of the guys who lived here.” –Billy Horschel
“We had this problem before the big name events came along. We’ve always had this problem. Ten years ago this event was incredible for the field, but where it fell in the schedule it was very good for a lot of the guys who lived here,” said eight-time PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel, who is in the field this week.
“This field has gone up and down over the last few years. When you have so many events on the PGA Tour schedule and you have guys trying to figure out where they fit, it’s hard to fill a field.
“I think the world of this golf course. I think it’s a great tournament. Obviously I was born and raised in Florida, so I will always support my events in Florida. It’s just tough. It’s just not Cognizant; there are a whole bunch of other tournaments that are struggling.”
The tour is entering the toughest part of its schedule. After the Players Championship, there is a series of three-week so-called “regular” tour events – the Valspar Championship, the Texas Children’s Houston Open and the Valero Texas Open – in which many of the top stars get to play once before heading to the Masters.
After Augusta, there are three signature events in four weeks: the RBC Heritage, Cadillac Championship and Truist Championship, followed by the PGA Championship. A few players will skip a signature event (they’re not mandatory like they were when they debuted), but there aren’t many obvious off weeks.
That kind of compressed, high-quality tournament schedule is why the Cognizant Classic is where it is.
“It’s a shame. It’s one of those events that… fell into an unfortunate moment in the planning. I think it’s both a good and a bad thing [about] our schedule, how great it is and the number of great golf courses we go to,” said Justin Thomas, who plans to return after back surgery at Bay Hill next week.
“It kills me that I can’t play Torrey Pines every year. Like Torrey Pines South is such a great golf course to me. It suits my eye so well. I love the North Course, but I can’t play it every year. Or Colonial is a past event where – I love Colonial. I think that golf course is incredible, but I can’t play four or five in a row.”
“It’s a shame. It’s a great, great problem to have, but it’s just one of those things that guys need to play certain events or feel like they’re giving themselves the best chance to win and get the most points. It’s just where it should be.”
With only 100 tour tickets available, this is an opportunity for players who are outside the signature event or looking for a guaranteed job next year to take a big step in that direction.
What the Cognizant Classic may lack in star power, it offers opportunities for other players. Austin Eckroat and Joe Highsmith have redefined their career paths with wins at PGA National the past two years.
With only 100 tour tickets available each year, this is an opportunity for players who are outside the signature event or looking for a guaranteed job next year to take a big step in that direction.
Another major change: The decision to fully overseed PGA National, which began last year, changes the course dynamics. Typically one of the toughest courses on tour – Sungjae Im won at 6 under par in 2020 and Sepp Straka’s winning score was 10 under par in 2022 – PGA National saw lower scores last year, as Highsmith shot 19 under par and Jake Knapp shot 59 in the first round.
The trade-off is a lush, green layout that takes some of the heat off of what was typically a firm, fast track if the Bermuda hadn’t been overseeded.
“It’s the best I’ve seen this course in probably 15, 20 years here,” said Brooks Koepka, who is making his third start since returning to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf earlier this year.
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