Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches Predictions: Back Berger in Florida

• The PGA TOUR switches from west coast to east

• The tournament takes place once again at PGA National

• Shane Lowry heads the betting

Cognizant Classic 2026 Odds

Odds from bet365 Sportsbook. Sign up for a bet365 account with our bet365 bonus code WSN365 and claim your welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose

Cognizant Classic 2026 Predictions

• Daniel Berger each-way (1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6) at +2800 with BetMGM

• Nicolai Hojgaard to beat Rasmus Hojgaard over 72 holes at -110 with bet365

• Shane Lowry for Top 10 at +200 with bet365

Cognizant Classic 2026 Intro

Widely regarded as one of the toughest courses on the PGA TOUR since it became part of the schedule in 2007, the Champion Course at PGA National rolled over and had its tummy tickled last year.

In all, 11 of the first 14 editions were won in single digits under par, with many scorecards wrecked by the tough three-hole stretch - 15 to 17 - known as the ‘Bear Trap’.

But it was more pussy cat than wild grizzly last year.

Jake Knapp set the tone on day one by shooting a 59 - just the 15th sub-60 in PGA TOUR history - and Joe Highsmith’s winning total of 19-under matched the tournament’s 72-hole record set at Mirasol in 2003 by Justin Leonard.

Overseeding the fairways is a big reason for that as it makes them softer and purer, and greens become easier to hit.

Par was also changed from 70 to 71 so this is not the fearsome test of old.

Adding to a loss of identity is it being squeezed between Signature Events. 

That’s had a big effect on the field quality and this year almost all the star names are using it as a chance to take a break.

This is the first event of the four-tournament Florida Swing.

It continues with the Arnold Palmer Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship and the Valspar Championship.

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Last 5 Winners of the Cognizant Classic

Course Notes

• PGA National is a par 71 measuring 7,223 yards

• Water is in play on 15 of the 18 holes

• The 10th hole was converted from a par 4 to a par 5 for the 2024 edition 

• The weather forecast suggests scoring will be low

• Joe Highsmith (2025) hold the 72-hole record of 265

• Jake Knapp (2025) holds the the 18-hole course record of 59

Favorites to win the Cognizant Classic 2026

Shane Lowry (+1400) at bet365

Lowry lives just 20 miles away and has put the convenience and familiarity to excellent use in this event although a win remains elusive. The Irishman was runner-up in 2022 and has followed that with finishes of 5-4-11. Overall he’s 8-for-8 at a venue where even the best players have often missed the cut. His current form is strong too. After finishing 2025 with three top 12s, he has a third in the Dubai Invitational and 8th (Pebble) and 24th (Riviera) in two starts on the West Coast Swing.

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Ryan Gerard (+1400) at bet365

Gerard had an amazing run of 2-2-2 either side of the Festive break. His first second place came at the DP World Tour’s Mauritius Open which achieved his goal of earning a spot in the world’s top 50 and a Masters invite. He then opened 2026 by finishing runner-up at both the Sony Open and American Express. February brought a slight cooling although 11-45-28 in three California events showed that he’s still doing lots of things right.    

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Nicolai Hojgaard (+2000) at bet365

Both Hojgaard twins peg it up this week and Rasmus is also high in the betting at +2000. But Nicolai deserves to be the favoured one here after two top four finishes already in 2026 - Dubai Desert Classic and Phoenix Open. The Dane has driven the ball superbly and an 18th place here last year adds to his credentials. 

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Berger To Serve Up Victory 

On his tournament debut in 2015, Daniel Berger - then a rookie - lost a playoff at the Cognizant Classic to three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington.

Berger was the local hero and although he didn’t quite get over the line, it was definitely a coming out party for a player who has gone on to play Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup as well as climbing into the top dozen of the world rankings.

He’s now a four-time PGA Tour winner and a fifth victory is definitely on the cards in this weak field.

As well as that second place here 11 years ago, Berger’s last four starts at PGA National show two fourth places and a 25th.

This season, he’s shown up strongly in two events played on Bermuda greens, his favoured surfaces having grown up in Florida.

Berger was sixth in the Sony Open - an event that correlates well with this one - and 16th in Phoenix.

Back him each-way (1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6) at +2800.

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Nicolai to Win Battle of Twins

We’re 3-for-3 in 72 hole match bets this season after Harris English beat Rickie Fowler by two shots at Riviera last time. 

This week, bet365 has priced up a -110 pick’ em between the Hojgaard twins and the smart selection is Nicolai.

The Danes seem to take it turns to be top dog but right now Nicolai has the edge over Rasmus.

Nicolai was third in Phoenix and 22nd at Torrey Pines after flying in off a top three in the Dubai Desert Classic.

Rasmus has been steady but not as impressive after finishes of 44-30-24 in his three PGA TOUR starts in 2026.

Nicolai also has a course form edge. 

He was 18th here last year while Rasmus has missed his last four cuts in Florida. That includes an early exit at PGA National on his only visit in 2024.

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Lowry For Top 10

After winners at +500, +450 and +400 at three of the last four events in the Top 10 market, Tony Finau couldn’t quite keep the streak going at +800 last week.

This week I’ll keep it simple and play Shane Lowy at +200.

The Irishman has three top 10s and an 11th in his last four starts at PGA National while he’s posted two top 10s in his last four worldwide events.

On those numbers - achieved in better fields - the price definitely appeals.

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How to Watch the Cognizant Classic 2026

• Tournament: Cognizant Classic

• Location: PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

• Date: Thursday February 26 - Sunday March 01

• How to Watch: Thursday-Friday 2 p.m.-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel), Saturday-Sunday 1 p.m.-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3 p.m.-6 p.m. (NBC) And all four days on Sky Sports