2026 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches - Patio Preview, Key Stats, Tournament Trends & Early Models
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Field List
Patio Preview
PGA National Resort (The Champion Course)
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Formerly known as the Honda Classic
Host of Cognizant/Honda Classic since 2007
121+ players
Cut: T65 & Ties
Par 71
Roughly 7,200+ yards
Greens: Bermuda grass
7,000 sq ft
12 on Stimpmeter
George and Tom Fazio Design
Redesigned by Jack Nicklaus a few times to make it more more playable for all golfers
Course plays difficult and is famously known for the “Bear Trap”
Holes 15, 16, 17
15: Par 3 about 170 yards with a semi-island green
16: Par 4 that is difficult OTT and on approach
17: A short Par 3
Not the only above-par stretch of holes on the course
Holes 5-7 play above par
Almost as difficult as the Bear Trap
Holes 10-12 play above par
Hole 14 leading into the Bear Trap is one of, if not the hardest hole on the course
Water in play on 14 holes
Driver usage was highest in last 5 years here (62.5%), but this is known to be a less-than-driver course with a 54.4% driver usage over last 5 years
Tour average driving accuracy and good drive %
GIR% right around 70% last 2 years
Going-for-Green % over 75% last 2 years and over 70% 4 of last 5 years
More than 70% of approach shots will come from 125 to 200 yards
Around-the-green play generally on the easy side here after renovation
Overseeded the rough for more consistency
ARG Proximity 7.0 and 7.4 feet last 2 years
PGA Tour Average 7.7
3-Putt Avoidance and 1-Putt % were slightly better than Tour Average last year
Average birdie putt distance was over 11 feet from 2021-2023, but dipped to 9.2 and 9.4 last 2 years
Avoiding bogeys and doubles is going to be key
6 holes with 15%+ bogey rate
4 holes with 3.5%+ double bogey rate
Looking for consistent ball strikers that find the greens
A lot of water in play
Distance + ability to control ball consistently = ideal combo
Good Bermuda putters are the cherry on top
Have to score on the Par 5s
All 3 have a 45%+ birdie rate
Average scoring last year
Par 3: 3.07 (best score in 5 years by decent margin)
Par 4: 3.97 (best score in 5 years)
Par 5: 4.43 (best score in 5 years by small margin)
Average round score last year: 69.26
Over 1 stroke better than 5-year average of 70.43
Recent Tournament History
2025: Joe Highsmith -19 (65-72-64-64); 2 Stroke Victory over Bridgeman & Spaun
2024: Austin Eckroat -17 (65-67-68-67); 3 Stroke Victory over Min Woo & Van Rooyen
2023: Chris Kirk -14 (69-62-66-69); Playoff Victory over Eric Cole
2022: Sepp Straka -10 (71-64-69-66); 1 Stroke Victory over Shane Lowry
2021: Matt Jones -12 (61-70-69-68); 5 Stroke Victory over Brandon Hagy
2020: Sungjae Im -6 (72-66-70-66); 1 Stroke Victory over Mackenzie Hughes
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Champ - @Champs311
Sammy - @SammyAvBets
Key Stats
Tier 1
Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermuda)
Tier 2
Bogey Avoidance
Driving Accuracy %
Distance from Edge of Fairway
Good Drive %
Greens in Regulation %
Par 5 BOB%
Par 4 BOB%
3-Putt Avoidance (Bermuda)
Tier 3
Putting Inside 10 feet (Bermuda)
Scrambling (Bermuda)
ARG Proximity
Approach 150-200 yards
Eagle %
Strokes Gained: Florida
Champ’s Course Comps
The Renaissance Club
Silverado Resort and Spa (North Course)
Ridgewood Country Club
Last 6 Cognizant Classic Tournament Trends
Odds
0-25:
26-50: 2023, 2020
51-100: 2021
101+: 2025, 2024, 2022
Winner’s Strokes Behind Leader By Round
R1: 4/6 (67%) trailed by 4 or more (1/6 led)
R2: 4/6 (67%) within 3 shots (0/6 led)
R3: 4/6 (67%) within 3 shots (3/6 led)
Winner’s Lead-In Form
6/6 (100%) with a Top 30 finish in their last 4 starts
5/6 (83%) made the cut in their last start
5/6 (83%) with a Top 25 finish in their last 4 starts
4/6 (67%) with a Top 40 finish in their last start
2/6 (33%) with a Top 10 finish in their last 4 starts
1/6 (17%) with a Top 5 finish in their last 4 starts
0/6 (0%) with a WIN in their last 4 starts
Winner’s Cognizant Classic History
6/6 (100%) with at least 1 prior appearances
5/6 (83%) with a missed cut in at least 1 appearance
4/6 (67%) made the cut in the last appearance prior to their win
3/6 (50%) with a Top 30 finish in a prior appearance
2/6 (33%) with a Top 10 finish in a prior appearance
First Round Leader by Tee Split
AM: 100% (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020)
PM: 50% (2024, 2023, 2020)
*results can include instances where FRL from multiple courses, all get credited with a win.
Early Models
Become a Clubhouse Member to unlock Champ and Sammy’s full models below, including our model weights where applicable
