The 2025 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches is set to kick off the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing at the renowned PGA National Resort’s Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This tournament is known for its challenging layout, particularly the infamous “Bear Trap,” a demanding stretch comprising holes 15 through 17 that has historically tested the mettle of even the most seasoned golfers.
Tournament Overview:
Dates: February 27 – March 2, 2025
Location: PGA National Resort (Champion Course), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Purse: $9.2 million
Defending Champion: Austin Eckroat
The field boasts a competitive lineup, including 16 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). Notable participants include Shane Lowry, Russell Henley, Jordan Spieth, and Sepp Straka. With no player opening with odds shorter than +2000, this year’s event is anticipated to be wide open, offering ample opportunities for emerging talents and seasoned professionals alike.
Top Contenders and Best Bets:
Shane Lowry
Current Form: Lowry, residing in nearby Jupiter, Florida, has demonstrated consistent performance this season, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. PGA Tour
Course History: He has an impressive track record at PGA National, securing top-five finishes in each of the past three years. PGA Tour
Odds: +2000
Best Bet: Shane Lowry Top 5 Finish (+500)
Russell Henley
Current Form: Henley, ranked 17th in the world, has been a consistent performer this season.
Course History: A past champion at this event, Henley secured victory in 2014 and has remained competitive in subsequent appearances.
Odds: +2000
Best Bet: Russell Henley Top 10 Finish (+275)
Sepp Straka
Current Form: Straka has already clinched a victory this season at The American Express and has multiple top-20 finishes, showcasing his strong form.
Course History: He won this tournament in 2022, demonstrating his ability to navigate the course’s challenges effectively.
Odds: +2000
Best Bet: Sepp Straka Top 10 Finish (+300)
Min Woo Lee
Current Form: The Australian golfer has achieved two top-20 finishes in as many events this season, indicating a promising trajectory. The Sun
Course History: Lee finished as the runner-up in last year’s tournament, showcasing his aptitude for the course.
Odds: +2200
Best Bet: Min Woo Lee Top 20 Finish (+175)
Jordan Spieth
Current Form: Spieth is on the comeback trail following wrist surgery last August, with a T4 finish at the WM Phoenix Open indicating a return to form. PGA Tour
Course History: This marks Spieth’s debut at PGA National, adding an element of uncertainty but also potential for a strong showing.
Odds: +4000
Best Bet: Jordan Spieth Top 20 Finish (+225)
2025 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches PRIZE MONEY
Here’s a table outlining the estimated prize money distribution for the 2025 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, based on a total purse of $9.2 million:
2025 Cognizant Classic Prize Money Breakdown
| Position | Prize Money ($) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 1,656,000 |
| 2nd | 1,002,200 |
| 3rd | 634,200 |
| 4th | 450,200 |
| 5th | 376,700 |
| 6th | 333,375 |
| 7th | 310,500 |
| 8th | 287,625 |
| 9th | 269,775 |
| 10th | 251,925 |
| 11th – 15th | 225,000 – 185,000 |
| 16th – 20th | 170,000 – 130,000 |
| 21st – 30th | 115,000 – 90,000 |
| 31st – 50th | 80,000 – 45,000 |
| 51st – 65th | 40,000 – 20,000 |
ODDS TO WIN Cognizant Classic 2025
| SHANE LOWRY | +2000 |
| RUSSELL HENLEY | +2000 |
| SUNGJAE IM | +2100 |
| DANIEL BERGER | +2000 |
| SEPP STRAKA | +2300 |
| TAYLOR PENDRITH | +2500 |
| DENNY McCARTHY | +3000 |
| MIN WOO LEE | +3100 |
| BYEONG HUN AN | +3500 |
| CAMERON YOUNG | +3500 |
| KEITH MITCHELL | +3500 |
| JORDAN SPIETH | +3500 |
| MAX GREYSERMAN | +3500 |
| DAVIS THOMPSON | +4000 |
| BILLY HORSCHEL | +4500 |
| MICHAEL KIM | +4000 |
| KURT KITAYAMA | +4500 |
| AUSTIN ECKROAT | +4500 |
| LUCAS GLOVER | +4500 |
| BRIAN HARMAN | +5000 |
| RICKIE FOWLER | +5000 |
| GARY WOODLAND | +5000 |
| PATRICK RODGERS | +5000 |
| ALEX SMALLEY | +5000 |
| JJ SPAUN | +5000 |
| ANDREW NOVAK | +5000 |
| LEE HODGES | +5000 |
| BEN GRIFFIN | +5000 |
| JHONATTAN VEGAS | +4500 |
| TAYLOR MOORE | +6000 |
| LUKE CLANTON | +6000 |
| BUD CAULEY | +6000 |
| CHRISTIAN BEZUIDENHOUT | +4500 |
| NICOLAI HOJGAARD | +6000 |
| SEAMUS POWER | +7000 |
| CHRIS KIRK | +6000 |
| BEAU HOSSLER | +7000 |
| JAKE KNAPP | +6000 |
| HARRY HALL | +6000 |
| RYAN GERARD | +6000 |
| NIKLAS NORGAARD | +7000 |
| ERIC COLE | +6000 |
| CHENG TSUNG PAN | +8000 |
| THORBJORN OLESEN | +8000 |
| MACKENZIE HUGHES | +8000 |
| BRIAN CAMPBELL | +6000 |
| DOUG GHIM | +8000 |
| KEVIN ROY | +8000 |
| PIERCESON COODY | +9000 |
| JOE HIGHSMITH | +9000 |
| MATT KUCHAR | +10000 |
| TOM HOGE | +10000 |
| SAM RYDER | +10000 |
| ERIK VAN ROOYEN | +10000 |
| ADAM SCHENK | +8000 |
| ISAIAH SALINDA | +4500 |
| CHAN KIM | +10000 |
| KYUONG HOON LEE | +10000 |
| ADAM SVENSSON | +10000 |
| GREYSON SIGG | +10000 |
| JESPER SVENSSON | +12500 |
| MAC MEISSNER | +12500 |
| JACOB BRIDGEMAN | +10000 |
| RYAN FOX | +12500 |
| ANDREW PUTNAM | +10000 |
| KRISTOFFER VENTURA | +12500 |
| JUSTIN LOWER | +10000 |
| JOEL DAHMEN | +12500 |
| VICTOR PEREZ | +12500 |
| MATT WALLACE | +10000 |
| MICHAEL THORBJORNSEN | +12500 |
| CHARLEY HOFFMAN | +10000 |
| BEN MARTIN | +12500 |
| MARK HUBBARD | +15000 |
| ANTOINE ROZNER | +15000 |
| BEN SILVERMAN | +15000 |
| PATRICK FISHBURN | +15000 |
| CHANDLER PHILLIPS | +15000 |
| QUADE CUMMINS | +15000 |
| MATT McCARTY | +12500 |
| ALEJANDRO TOSTI | +10000 |
| ZACH JOHNSON | +15000 |
Conclusion:
The 2025 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches promises an exciting week of golf, with a field rich in talent and a course renowned for its rigorous challenges. Shane Lowry’s familiarity with the course and current form position him as a strong contender for a top-five finish. Similarly, Russell Henley and Sepp Straka’s past successes here make them favorable bets for top-10 finishes. Emerging talents like Min Woo Lee and the returning Jordan Spieth add depth to the competition, with both poised for potential top-20 finishes.
As always, bettors are encouraged to consider current form, course history, and prevailing conditions when making their selections. With the field as open as it is this year, the 2025 Cognizant Classic is set to deliver compelling narratives and thrilling performances.
