Cognizant Classic Preview: Rory McIlroy heads up Palm Beaches field as Florida Swing begins

Cognizant Classic Preview 2024.

The World No.2 returns in search of a second title at PGA National, 12 years after holding off Tiger to top the world rankings for the first time.

Familiar faces return to PGA Tour action this week as Florida’s four-week swing gets underway at the Cognizant Classic, albeit with a fresh coat of paint to the sponsor boards.

This year’s edition sees IT services company Cognizant step up to the tee box, replacing Honda’s 42-year association with the Classic in The Palm Beaches.

The tournament marks the start of a significant stretch of weeks for players on the PGA Tour, taking in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, The PLAYERS Championship, and a two-week stint in Texas before the first Major of the season – The Masters.

And for those looking to add a green jacket to their wardrobe, this prestigious stretch of events in their own right provides a perfectly placed acid test for players to see whether their game is in the shape needed to mount a challenge come April at Augusta.

Already a winner on the DP World Tour this season, Rory McIlroy’s game is perhaps not too far away and a good showing in The Palm Beaches could well galvanize that charge towards the career Grand Slam.

The Northern Irishman, held off Tiger Woods to win here way back in 2012, rising to World No.1 for the first time after stripping his current Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald of the accolade.

Last time out it was American Chris Kirk who took the spoils, taming the Bear Trap at PGA National with a playoff victory over Eric Cole for a fifth PGA Tour title at the time.

The American’s first win in eight years was all the more impressive having battled through anxiety, alcoholism, and depression during a 2019 sabbatical, before returning triumphantly to competitive action.

“I just have so much to be thankful for, said Kirk after lifting the trophy.

“I’m so grateful for my sobriety, I’m so grateful for my family, I’m so grateful for everyone that has supported me throughout the past three or four years.”

Kirk tees it up again in The Palm Beaches, coming in hot as a Signature Event winner already in 2024, and joins a strong field competing for the inaugural Cognizant-sponsored Classic.

Who is playing in The Cognizant Classic?

McIlroy is one of eight players in the world’s top 30 participating this week, lifting the overall quality back toward the strength in depth that the tournament was historically accustomed to.

There is a strong European Ryder Cup presence competing with McIlroy joined by teammates Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry, and Robert MacIntyre.

Last week’s Mexico Open winner and former nightclub bouncer Jake Knapp will target another strong showing in what will be just his tenth tour start. The American tees it up alongside countrymen Rickie Fowler, Cameron Young, Tom Kim, and defending champion Chris Kirk.

A full list of 2024’s field can be found here.

Where is The Cognizant Classic being played?

The Champion Course at PGA National hosts The Cognizant Classic and is famed for a notorious stretch of three holes on the back-9 known as “The Bear Trap”, named after the Golden Bear himself – Jack Nicklaus, who reworked the Tom and George Fazio-designed course.

PGA National has hosted the formally named Honda Classic since 2007 and was also the venue for 1983’s Ryder Cup, the 1987 PGA Championship, and the Senior PGA Championship from 1982 to 2000.

The Par 70, 7,125-yard track is a tough enough test without its notorious intimidating finish that’s destined to make or break the rounds of many across the week. Exposed to the wind, heavily bunkered, and with water in play on 13 holes, fields typically average the wrong side of par (70.36 in 2023).

Who will win The Cognizant Classic?

Don’t expect to see the leaders sitting at 25-under come Sunday afternoon. Only recently have winners here reached double figures under par after 72 holes.

While this isn’t a links course, the test is not dissimilar being exposed to the wind, and those with links pedigree have fared well over the years. Open Champions Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els, and serial links protagonists Adam Scott, and Rickie Fowler have all won here.

The Strokes Gained statistics don’t suggest a clear picture of what a ‘typical’ winner looks like at PGA National, perhaps explaining why outsiders tend to have success here. Managing the elements appears critical, with hitting a high percentage of GIR, and scrambling well likely to put you in with a shout.

How much will the winner of The Cognizant Classic receive?

The Cognizant Classic has a $9 million purse with the champion taking home $1,512,000 and 500 FedExCup points.

How to watch The Cognizant Classic

UK viewers can catch all the action on Sky Sports Golf.

All times GMT

Saturday, March 02: Sky Sports Golf, 11.45

Sunday, March 03: Sky Sports Golf, 11.45

US viewers can catch all the action on Golf Channel.

All times EST

Saturday, March 02: The Golf Channel, 12.00

Sunday, March 03: The Golf Channel, 12.00

The Cognizant Classic: Tee Times

Tee times and groupings for rounds 3 & 4 can be found here.

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About the author

Ross Tugwood

Golf Equipment Writer

Ross Tugwood is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation.

Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.

He has post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism, enabling him to critically analyze and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions.