The PGA Tour will begin the “Florida Swing” at PGA National. This course boasts 15 holes of water. There are particularly troubles lurking in “The Bear Trap.” This is three hole stretches consisting of PAR-3 No. 15, PAR-4 No. 16, PAR-3 No. 17. Each year, Beartrap entertains fans on the ground and watching from home, deciding who wins or loses.
For years, the course was played as a par 70, but ahead of last year's cognitive classics won by Austin Eckroat, tournament officials extended the par 4 10th hole to par 5. The first hole in the back nine is 550 yards, rising from the 509 he played in 2023.
However, further changes have been made to the course ahead of this year's tournament. For the first time since 2014, perennial ryegrass, which make up the fairway and tee, are being monitored. For the past few years, authorities have only overseen 2.5 inch rough. As is customary on Florida golf courses, the underlying grass is Bermudagrass, making shots from there unpredictable.
It also reduces the width of the fairway, and now averages 28 yards. Finding short grasses is a premium, especially since this is a golf course that hits the ball. You must find the greens under regulation to succeed here, avoiding water.
This year's field is led by 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year Shane Rawley and three-time major winner Jordans Piece. Spieth has not played for PGA National since 2009, when he was a 15-year-old junior competing in the AJGA Polo Golf Junior Classic. Brently Romeen from Golf Channel Bracket posted From that event, Spieth moved on to the final four.
Other notables include Sungjae IM, Russell Henley and Daniel Berger. These are all solid iron players and should work well in South Florida this week. Amateur Luke Clanton will also try to secure a PGA Tour card this week. Make a 36 hole cut and you will gain status for the rest of 2026.
Palm Beach Cognitive Classic Information:
where: PGA National Resort (Champion Course), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
detail: 7,167 yards, par 71, designed by Tom Fazio in 1981
wallet: $9,200,000 ($1,656,000 for winner)
FedEx Cup Points: 500 for the winner
Defending Champion: Austin Eckroat
How to watch Cognizant Classic on Palm Beach on TV:
Thursday, February 27th:
2-6pm ET (Golf Channel)
Friday, February 28th:
2-6pm ET (Golf Channel)
Saturday, March 1st:
1-3pm (Golf Channel); 3-6pm ET (NBC)
Sunday, August 25th:
1-3pm (Golf Channel); 3-6pm ET (NBC)
How to stream Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach:
Cognizant Classic can be streamed through ESPN+ and the Peacock.
Every morning at 6:45am, ESPN+ will begin streaming the main feed of the PGA Tour Live until the Golf Channel starts airing in the early afternoon. ESPN+ also comes with separate streams of distinct groups and feature holes. When Golf Channel's television broadcast begins, ESPN+ will only broadcast feature hole coverage, broadcast only the most popular groups.
ESPN+ Schedule:
Thursday, February 27th:
6:45 AM-2 PM ET (main feed)
7am to 2pm (Featured Group)
- Daniel Berger, Max Gresierman, Luke Clanton (a)
- Cep Straka, Billy Horchel, Cameron Young
- Austin Eckrote, Chris Kirk, Songjae IM
- Brian Campbell, Davis Thompson, Bion Hun
7:30am to 2pm (Markey Group)
- Ricky Fowler, Russell Henry, Jordan Spieth
- Shane Raleigh, Gary Woodland, Min Woolley
7:45am to 2pm (Holes of interest)
- 5th hole, par 3, 217 yards
- 7th hole, par 3, 226 yards
- 15th hole, par 3, 179 yards
- 17th hole, par 3, 175 yards
2pm to 6pm (Featured Group)
- Austin Eckrote, Chris Kirk, Songjae IM
2pm to 6pm (Holes of interest)
- 15th hole, par 3, 179 yards
- 17th hole, par 3, 175 yards
Friday, February 28th:
6:45 AM-2 PM ET (main feed)
7:15am to 2pm (Featured Group)
- Daniel Berger, Max Gresierman, Luke Clanton (a)
- Cep Straka, Billy Horchel, Cameron Young
- Austin Eckrote, Chris Kirk, Songjae IM
- Brian Campbell, Davis Thompson, Bion Hun
7:30am to 2pm (Markey Group)
- Ricky Fowler, Russell Henry, Jordan Spieth
- Shane Raleigh, Gary Woodland, Min Woolley
7:45am to 2pm (Holes of interest)
- 5th hole, par 3, 217 yards
- 7th hole, par 3, 226 yards
- 15th hole, par 3, 179 yards
- 17th hole, par 3, 175 yards
2pm to 6pm (Featured Group)
- Cep Straka, Billy Horchel, Cameron Young
2pm to 6pm (Holes of interest)
- 15th hole, par 3, 179 yards
- 17th hole, par 3, 175 yards
Peacock restocks golf channels and NBC broadcasts at the same time every day.
To stream peacock coverage, click here.
Cognitive Classics from Tea Times in Palm Beach:
This is the full tea seat The first two rounds of Cognizant Classic At Palm Beach.
For the first time in 2025, the tour will be played in the Eastern Time Zone.
Jack Mirco is a golf staff writer who plays SB Nation. Follow him with x @jack_milko.
