Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches 2026 preview, picks & analysis
By: Derek Clements | Edited: Mon 23 Feb 2026
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Signature Events are all well and good. They bring together the cream of the PGA Tour.
The problem is that it means the rank and file are left at home twiddling their thumbs, watching the gap grow between themselves and the game’s very best players.
This week sees Joe Highsmith return to PGA National to defend his Cognizant Classic title, where he will be drawing on some great memories. Having made the cut on the mark, the American shot back-to-back 64s at the weekend 12 months ago to claim his maiden PGA Tour title with a tournament record score of 265, 19 under par.
There was a feast of low scoring, with Jake Knapp shooting an opening round of 59 that included 12 birdies and just six pars. He finished the week tied sixth.
Highsmith was born in Lakewood, Washington and is not your typical PGA Tour professional.
His home course, Tacoma Country & Golf Club, was where the Putnam brothers, Andrew and Michael, honed their games growing up before they reached the PGA Tour.
Highsmith frequently had chipping contests there with RJ Manke, a future teammate at Pepperdine University and fellow Korn Ferry Tour member; they frequently spent all day at the golf club with their older brothers as kids, and today if they are all together they will play a round and follow it with a pickleball match. He once claimed he was better at pickleball than golf.
He has played piano for 12 years and he names his favourite athletes as tennis players Gael Monfils, Nick Kyrgios, and Dustin Brown
His caddie is Joe LaCava IV, the son of Joe LaCava, who caddied for Tiger Woods when he won The Masters in 2019.
His win 12 months ago came in just his 34th start.
It was also a big week for the promising Luke Clanton, who secured his PGA Tour card by making the cut a year ago . Clanton, at the time the world’s top-ranked amateur and a sophomore at Florida State, earned his 20th point in the PGA Tour University Accelerated programme by shooting a 5-under 66 in the second round. He finished T18 with a 12-under 272.
Will Zalatoris is also in the field as he continues his comeback after what he hopes will be career-saving back surgery. This is his tournament debut and he is playing on a medical exemption. Zalatoris spent nine months in the top 10 in the world in 2022 and 2023 but has undergone two major back surgeries since, including disc replacement in May last year. He returned in January at The American Express, where he finished in a tie for 18th place.
Former champion Keith Mitchell, who is one of the biggest hitters on tour, enjoys this course, where he has had three top-10 finishes.
Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka is not eligible for the Signature Events and will also be in action this week. He was runner-up to Mitchell when the American won in 2019. He will be making his seventh start in his home-town tournament and said: "I'm really looking forward to competing at the Cognizant Classic in front of so many fans who've supported me from the start. I'm grateful for the chance to once again be part of my hometown event."
Tournament Winners:
It was won in 2015 by Padraig Harrington, in 2016 by Adam Scott, in 2017 by Rickie Fowler, in 2018 by Justin Thomas, in 2019 by Keith Mitchell, in 2020 by Sungjae Im, in 2021 by Matt Jones, in 2022 by Sepp Straka, in 2023 by Chris Kirk, in 2024 by Austin Eckroat and last year by Joe Highsmith.
The Course:
PGA National’s Champion course opened in 1981 and staged the Ryder Cup in 1983 and the US PGA Championship in 1987. It underwent a $4m renovation in 2002. The tough three-hole stretch of the par-3 15th, par-4 16th, and par-3 17th holes is known as "The Bear Trap," named after Jack Nicklaus who is nicknamed the Golden Bear and redesigned the course. It is a par 70 measuring 7,048 yards and the winner is going to be looking for a score around 270.
Form Guide:
Shane Lowry has made a decent start to the season and loves PGA National.
Prize Money:
Total prize money is $9m, with the winner’s share around $1.6m. There are also 500 FedEx Cup points to the champion.
How to Watch:
Thursday, February 26, Friday, February 27, Sky Sports Golf, 4pm; Saturday, February 28, 3pm; Sunday, March 1, 2.30pm.
To Win:
Shane Lowry. Fabulous short game
Each Way:
Nicolai Hojgaard. Ready to win
Each Way:
Aaron Rai. So consistent
Five to Follow:
Shane Lowry. Long overdue
Nicolai Hojgaard. Great temperament
Aaron Rai. Cool as a cucumber
Brooks Koepka. Remains a class act
Ben Griffin. World class
Five Outsiders to Watch:
Haotong Li. Can go very low
Jordan Smith. Great ball striker
Dan Brown. Living the dream
John Parry. Made a decent start
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen. Could surprise a few people
About the author
Derek Clements is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.
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