Preview
Starts: 29th February 2024
Course: PGA National (Champion), Florida
Par: 71
Length: 7,147 yards
2023 Champion: Chris Kirk
PGA Tour Cognizant Classic Picks 2024
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2024 Cognizant Classic Course Info
Designer: Fazio (Nicklaus re-design in 1990 & 2014)
Used Since: 2007
Fairways: Average
Rough: Bermuda (2 inch)
Greens: TifEagle Bermuda (12 stimp)
Water Hazards: On 14 holes
Par 5's: 3rd, 10th & 18th
Premium on: Approach Play
2024 Cognizant Classic Trends
Winning Score
Since the Jack Nicklaus course alterations in 2014, the winning score has been between -6 and -14. Chris Kirk's total of fourteen under par last year was the lowest winning score since 2005.
Course Form
Each of the past TWELVE champions have played this event at least once before winning - avoid debutants when making your Cognizant Classic picks. Seven of the last ten winners had recorded a top 13 finish at this event prior to their win.
Recent Form
Chris Kirk and Sepp Straka has both started the year in reasonable form prior to their wins in 2023 and 2022. However, none of the three champions before them had recorded a top 25 in their previous two starts. Recent form can be seen as an advantage but not necessary.
World Ranking
The world ranking of the past eight champions have been 47-176-83-34-161-4-14-13. Keith Mitchell and Sepp Straka were the two outside the top 100 and they have both since become top 50 players.
Previous PGA Tour Wins
Seven of the last the winners had won on the PGA Tour before.
Nationality
Six of the last twelve winners have been American.
Close to Florida
Four of the last ten winners were born or live in neigouring Georgia, USA. Two further winners (Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas) lived in Florida.
Age
There have been a mix of ages win this event, no notable trends.
Cognizant Classic 2024 Trends Shortlist
Using the information above, we have taken into account the three most relevant trends to establish a shortlist of potential winners and make golf picks. Cognizant Classic trends used were:
✅ Previous top 13 finish in this event
✅ World ranking inside top 100
✅ Conection to Florida, Georgia or Alabama
Our trends shortlist will be available the week of the event.
"I hit it very accurate off the tee, which is huge, because once you're in the fairway, if you're feeling good with your irons you can actually take advantage and attack some of the greens and some of the pins. But the key is you've just got to put it in the short grass, otherwise just all the water comes way more into play, and it gets a lot more dicey." Sepp Straka, 2023.
2024 Cognizant Classic Stats Analysis
SG: Off The Tee
The last six winners have ranked 15-1-10-15-21-23. A lot of importance off the tee here.
Driving Distance
The last eight winners have ranked 54-15-23-74-12-2-7-11. In general, distance is a definite advantage.
Driving Accuracy
The last eight winners have ranked 35-1-27-21-89-103-24-14. Helps, but not essential.
SG: Approach
The last six winners have ranked 8-20-7-5-7-2. Accurate approach play is crucial here.
SG: Around The Green
The last six winners have ranked 37-25-2-9-8-29. A tidy short game is a big advantage on this tough course.
SG: Putting
The last eight winners have ranked 9-4-25-58-57-39-28-31. A hot putter isn't essential
"To me this is just like a lot of Palm Beach's top golf courses where it plays long, it blows, there's lots of water." Ben Taylor, 2023
2024 Cognizant Classic In-Play Advice
Tough Holes
Although The Bear Trap (15-17) is infamous, the 14th hole often plays as the toughest hole.
Birdie Holes
The par 5's (3rd and 18th) play as the easiest holes. The easiest hole outside of those is the short par 4 13th.
Closing Stretch
Holes 15-17, collectively known as The Bear Trap, are a tough stretch of holes. The 18th offers a birdie opportunity.
Fast or Slow Start
We've seen winners get off to fast starts and recover from slow starts at PGA National. Sepp Straka triumphed in 2022 when seven shots back after round one whilst Sungjae Im won in 2020 having been 63rd after round 1. Four of the last seven winners have been in the top 20 after round one though.
"The rough is a lot more forgiving than it has been in the past. I'm guessing it's sort of similar like we had at TPC Summerlin and the Phoenix Open this year. They cut the rough down to about two inches instead of three, three and a half inches that it was the year before. They wanted more fliers out of the rough." Billy Horschel, 2023.
Previous Cognizant Classic tips
The Cognizant Classic was previously known as the Honda Classic. You can access our historical Honda Classic picks and in-play blogs using the links below:
2023 Honda Classic Picks
2022 Honda Classic Picks
2021 Honda Classic Picks
2024 PGA Tour Cognizant Classic Picks
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In-play
2024 Cognizant Classic In-Play Blog
3 March 2024, 9.05am (UK time)
Player | Total |
Lowry |
-13 |
Skinns |
-13 |
Eckroat |
-13 |
Five players tied |
-10 |
2024 Cognizant Classic Round 3 Conditions
The greens firmed up and conditions overall were tougher for the third round.
2024 Cognizant Classic Round 4 Weather Bias?
There could be some disruption with rain showers and thunderstorms possible.
Round 3 Outright Market Summary
Rory McIlroy was caught out by the Bear Trap and has relinquished favouritism in the betting. However, McIlroy's close friend, Shane Lowry, has taken over as the man to beat at a best price of 9/5.
Lowry looked like the winner of this event in 2022 until the final couple of holes when torrential rain fell and derailed his challenge. A 5th place finish last year further emphasised his suitability for this event and he will be a tough man to beat with some inclement weather in the forecast. Lowry leads the SG: Tee to Green stats so far this week.
Austin Eckroat is the justified second favourite but he is searching for his first PGA Tour win. A runner up finish at last year's AT&T Byron Nelson will serve him sell though.
Four of the last five winners of this event have been in first or second position entering the final round, so history suggests the winner will emerge from the three players at thirteen under par.
Eye Catching Niche Market Prices - Cognizant Classic
No prices standing out.
Cognizant Classic In-Play Picks - Round 4 Bets
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2 March 2024, 7.45am (UK time)
Player | Total |
Cauley |
-11 |
Higgo |
-10 |
Eckroat |
-10 |
Yu |
-9 |
Perez |
-9 |
Eight players tied |
-8 |
2024 Cognizant Classic Round 2 Conditions
The anticipated advantage for very early starters didn't materialise and the later starters had the best of it. The top three on the leaderboard were all in the AM-PM side of the draw.
2024 Cognizant Classic Round 3 Weather Bias?
No, the wind will be a consistent 10-12mph throughout the day.
Round 3 Outright Market Summary
Rory McIlroy is now the general 4/1 favourite, having posted a second consecutive round of 67. The driver was once again the main weapon, with McIlroy ranking second for the day in SG: Off The Tee and comfortably leading that metric for the tournament. A past winner of this event, he is certainly respected given the way he is driving the ball.
Four of the last five winners of this event have been inside the top six at the halfway point and all five have been inside the top ten. We aren't looking too much further down the leaderboard than those already on a score of eight under par.
Eye Catching Niche Market Prices - Cognizant Classic
Jake Knapp 'Without McIlroy and Young' - 12/1 @ Bet365
Knapp was very impressive for the opening three rounds last week but was understandably nervous during the final round. He appears to have brought that form with him coming into this week and he ranks 7th in SG: Tee To Green so far. Last week's win will no doubt have done him the world of good in terms of comfort when in contention and he looks a good price in this market which takes out the two market favourites. Those of you who want a bigger price may want to consider Parker Coody in this market at odds of 45/1.
Cognizant Classic In-Play Picks - Round 3 Bets
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1 March 2024, 9.45am (UK time)
Player | Total |
SH Kim |
-7 |
Ramey |
-7 |
Six players tied |
-6 |
2024 Cognizant Classic Round 1 Conditions
Easier conditions than we normally see at this event, very little wind in the morning and only a gentle breeze in the afternoon.
2024 Cognizant Classic Round 2 Weather Bias?
The very early starters should enjoy minimal wind but the breeze is due to pick up to 15mph by 9 or 10am.
Round 2 Outright Market Summary
Rory McIlroy was the favourite coming into the event and he retains favouritism at 7/1. A past winner of this event, the Northern Irishman got off to a promising start but finds himself three shots off the lead. The driver was once again the strongest club in the bag for McIlroy and he will undoubtedly be near the top of the leaderboard if he continues to drive it as he has been doing the past few events.
McIlroy will play in the afternoon in round two though and we'd suggest waiting for the second round to play out before looking to back him.
Eye Catching Niche Market Prices - Cognizant Classic
Rory McIlroy PAR 5 Tournament Winner - 22/1 @ Bet Victor
One way to get McIlroy onside may be to back him in the par 5 market offered by Bet Victor. He is one shot off the pace after round one, playing the three par fives in three under par in round one. His driving has been exceptional and he is sure to have plenty of scoring opportunities on the par fives if he drives it as he has been.
Cognizant Classic In-Play Picks - Round 2 Bets
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