This week's Cognizant Classic at PGA National signal one thing.
We've been exactly six weeks since our first tee shot hit at Augusta National, a holiday celebrated in the world of golf. Going forward, the PGA Tour will host four events in Florida, including players, and two more in Texas, with around 89 players heading to Augusta, Georgia, for the chance to win the Green Jacket.
It's an exciting time filled with hope and expectations. This is an era of rising debate surrounding the Masters of 2025. Who is playing well? Who's running badly? Who will be Augusta's dark horse this year? These are all related questions that the month of March helps answer.
Last year, Scotty Scheffler won at Bayhill and then raided from behind to get a player the following week. All signs from Florida's swing pointed to him winning the second green jacket. He also saw LudvigÅberg doing well in Florida and predicted runner-up in his Masters debut.
However, this week's Cognizant Classic doesn't feature Scheffler or Åberg. That's a weak field as many top players have chosen to skip PGA National in favor of next week's signature event at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Players continue shortly after, leaving cognitive classics as a strange man, as many people don't like to compete for three weeks in a row.
But keep an eye on who plays well, given that this week's tournament prefers ball striker from the tee and accuracy (the two key traits of Augusta). Maybe Shane Lowry will compete. Or maybe Cep Straca, Daniel Berger, or Ben Griffin?
Anyone who fights will be part of the first conversation surrounding the Master in 2025. This is an exhilarating development.
Azaleas and Magnolia are mostly here.
Jack Mirco is a golf staff writer who plays SB Nation. Follow him with x @jack_milko.
