The 2026 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches teed off Thursday morning, ushering in the start of the PGA Tour’s highly anticipated Florida Swing. With the Champion Course at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, as its battleground, this year’s edition brings a blend of rich tradition, statistical intrigue, and a field hungry for breakthrough moments. Though the tournament lacks some of the top-ranked global stars, the storylines are anything but lacking as seasoned veterans and rising hopefuls vie for the coveted title.
The action began bright and early, with players taking their first swings as early as 6:45 a.m. ET. The Golf Channel’s live coverage kicked in from 2-6 p.m. ET, while PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ provided streaming access starting at 6:45 a.m. ET, ensuring fans could follow every drive, chip, and putt from the get-go. Among the notable early starters was Shane Lowry, the 2019 Open champion and a regular at this event, who teed off at 7:21 a.m. ET. Lowry, who boasts three top-five finishes here in the past four years, is eyeing his first solo PGA Tour victory since 2024 and has shown strong form recently with a T8 at Pebble Beach and a T24 at the Genesis Invitational.
But Lowry isn’t the only name drawing attention. The tournament’s field, though missing any of the current top 25 in the Official World Golf Ranking and only featuring eight of the top 50, is packed with players ready to seize the spotlight. The withdrawal of 2026 Genesis Invitational winner Jacob Bridgeman, Ben Griffin, and Adam Scott earlier in the week opened the door for new faces to make their mark. The Cognizant Classic, founded in 1972 and now in its third year with Cognizant as title sponsor, has a history of producing first-time winners and dramatic finishes—just look at the likes of Joe Highsmith, Austin Eckroat, and Chris Kirk, recent champions who broke through at long odds.
Statistically, the Champion Course is a beast with a personality all its own. Designed by Tom and George Fazio and renovated by Jack Nicklaus, the 7,223-yard, par-71 track is infamous for its 26 water hazards—fifteen of which threaten on approach shots—and its notorious "Bear Trap" (holes 15, 16, and 17), which has derailed many a contender over the years. The course’s difficulty has fluctuated with weather and setup, but the absence of heavy rain this year promises firmer, faster greens that will challenge even the best iron players. Historically, PGA National has been among the toughest non-major tracks on Tour, with double digits under par being a rare feat until recent years.
The field is a mix of experienced campaigners and promising upstarts. Haotong Li, a proven competitor with four top-20s in his last six events and two recent top-5s at The Open Championship, is pegged as a sleeper pick at +4500 odds. He’s set to tee off at 12:59 p.m. ET and ranks seventh in true strokes gained tee-to-green this season. Sam Ryder, another long shot at +10000, has a strong track record at PGA National with two top-10s in this event and impressive stats in approach play and putting. Ryder’s opening round began at 6:57 a.m. ET. Local favorite Luke Clanton, who finished T18 here last year and notched two runner-up finishes on Tour in 2024, tees off at 1:11 p.m. ET and is drawing attention for his course familiarity and ball-striking prowess.
Other players to watch include Nicolai Højgaard, who leads the Tour in strokes gained off the tee and bogey avoidance, and is coming off a string of strong finishes worldwide. Daniel Berger, a late entry and South Florida native, has a history of success at PGA National, including a playoff loss in 2015 and two other top-four finishes. Brooks Koepka, the 2019 runner-up, is making his third start since returning to the PGA Tour and is looking to rediscover his putting touch. Meanwhile, defending champion Joe Highsmith faces long odds to repeat, having notched only one top-10 in 29 starts since last year’s win.
The course itself is a test of nerve and precision. With water in play on nearly every hole, players are forced to lay up and play for position rather than bomb drivers. The average driving distance here is among the shortest on Tour, and the penalty for missing fairways or greens can be severe. Scrambling and approach play are at a premium—five of the last seven winners have ranked eighth or better in strokes gained on approach during their winning week. This year, Austin Smotherman, Sam Ryder, and Shane Lowry are among the leaders in this key metric.
Historically, the Cognizant Classic (formerly the Honda Classic) has crowned champions who excel under pressure and navigate the Bear Trap with care. Major winners like Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Adam Scott, and Padraig Harrington have all hoisted the trophy here, and the event’s list of past winners reads like a who’s who of golf legends. The tournament’s roots trace back to its days as Jackie Gleason’s Inverrary Classic and its long association with American Honda, which remains the longest uninterrupted title sponsorship in PGA Tour history.
Beyond the statistics and history, the 2026 edition is also about opportunity. With a relatively open field and the tournament wedged between the Genesis Invitational and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, players outside the top ranks have a rare chance to shine. The absence of rain means the course will play firmer, adding another layer of challenge and unpredictability. As the week unfolds, expect the Bear Trap to play its usual role as a dramatic decider, especially with so many players bunched together on a leaderboard that could see wild swings in fortune.
For fans, the broadcast and streaming options are robust, with Golf Channel and ESPN+ ensuring that every twist and turn is covered live. Whether you’re following the early risers or tuning in for the marquee groups in the afternoon, there’s no shortage of action to keep golf enthusiasts glued to their screens.
As the first round continues, all eyes are on the Champion Course and the players daring enough to take on its many hazards. With the Florida Swing officially underway, the Cognizant Classic promises another week of surprises, heartbreaks, and—just maybe—a new name etched into the history books. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds in Palm Beach Gardens.