| TV:<\/td> | Golf Channel, NBC<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n 2025 Cognizant Classic Course Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Champions Course at PGA National is a true Florida test, demanding precision and\u00a0patience from players. Measuring 7,200 yards as a Par 71, the course features only\u00a0three par-5s, making it difficult to pick up easy birdies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Water hazards come into play on\u00a0 15 of the 18 holes, and with 60 strategically placed bunkers, mistakes are often\u00a0punished. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n The infamous Bear Trap (holes 15-17) is one of the toughest closing\u00a0stretches on the PGA Tour, capable of derailing a good round in an instant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Wind is\u00a0always a factor here, and Friday morning is expected to be particularly windy, adding\u00a0 another layer of difficulty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n While the TifEagle Bermudagrass greens have settled since\u00a0 their 2018 renovation, they can still play firm and make stopping approach shots a\u00a0challenge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Players who can navigate the hazards, handle the wind, and capitalize on\u00a0the limited scoring opportunities will have the best chance to contend in this demanding event.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n It\u2019s interesting that the cut line the last 2 years was -2 and +1, but the winners went -17\u00a0and -14 showing that there are some low scores out there, but a majority of the field will\u00a0 be struggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n 2025 Cognizant Classic Favorite Holes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\nFavorite Hole: 16th Hole Par 4, 465 Yards\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nOn paper it doesn\u2019t seem that hard of a hole, but there is trouble everywhere here. The\u00a0tee shot has to be accurate to have any chance of a great approach shot to set up a\u00a0birdie putt as there is water and bunkers off the right side of the fairway, and rough and\u00a0a big bunker off the left side of the fairway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Any shot not in the fairway, and players will be happy with a par. The green is tucked behind a big bunker, and water so guys will\u00a0be bailing out to the left or short of the green testing their short game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Agressive\u00a0approach shots that go right are bad news, it\u2019s just a very well designed hole showing\u00a0 that making a hole long isn\u2019t the only way to create challenges for players.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n 18th Hole: Par 5 561 Yards\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nI\u2019m a big fan of this closing hole. The drive is challenging as there is thick rough and\u00a0bunkers on the left, and rough and trees on the right. It\u2019s bunkers and water galore\u00a0around the green so players wanting to go for this hole in 2 will have to hit a perfect one.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Expect a lot of second shots to end up in the bunkers on the left, as water hugs the right\u00a0 side of the green, and there will certainly be more than 1 shot that hits the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a\u00a0real feast or famine Par 5, that can offer anything from birdies to double bogeys, and the second shot into this green will create some interesting discussions between player and caddie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n 2025 Cognizant Classic: Players That Can Trip You Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nSungjae Im\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not sure what\u2019s going on with him, but after a 3rd place finish to start the year he\u2019s finished MC, 4th, 33rd, 57th, MC, and he\u2019s missed the cut 2 out of the last 3 years here with a 42nd in there as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Looking at his numbers, it\u2019s the approach numbers that are\u00a0 awful at -0.76 this year, which is one of the worst in the field. Bad approaches are a big\u00a0problem here with the wind, and tough greens and pins locations. He\u2019s an avoid this\u00a0 week.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Austin Eckroat\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nHe won this tournament last year, but it looks like the outlier. He has no Top 20 finishes before the win, and then he only had 2 Top 20 finishes in his next 14 tournaments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n He\u2019s\u00a0missed the cut in 4 out of the last 5 tournaments this year, and he\u2019s outside the Top 50\u00a0 in total strokes gained in this field. He\u2019ll be a stay away for me this week.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Denny McCarthy\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nHe\u2019s been playing really good this season, but I can\u2019t ignore his course history here.\u00a0Missed the cut in 2 straight years, and 5 out of the 7 times he\u2019s played here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n His current form is good, but he just doesn\u2019t play well here, and he\u2019s priced as a Top 8 player this\u00a0week. I\u2019ll look to bet on other players this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Cognizant Classic DraftKings Darlings\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n(Last week we finished 60th out of 150 players for a small cash on our lineup) <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Vincent Norrman $6400\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nHold your nose on this one. Technically he\u2019s made the cut in all 5 tournaments this\u00a0 season, and both times he\u2019s played here, but his finishes here are 47th and 63rd. His\u00a0best finish this year is 29th, but he\u2019s making it to the weekend so we\u2019ll hope that\u00a0 continues.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Sam Ryder $7100\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nWe\u2019ll ride with Ryder again as he\u2019s made the cut in every tournament this season, and\u00a0he\u2019s finished 21st, 8th, and 9th the last 3 times he\u2019s played here. He\u2019s 32nd in the field\u00a0 in total strokes gained this week, he\u2019s worth playing at this price.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Grayson Sigg $7100\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nWe\u2019ll go right back to Sigg, who got us a 17th place finish last week, and that\u2019s now 17th, 32nd, and 9th in his last 3 tournaments. He made the cut here last year finishing\u00a056th, I\u2019ll hope his form is better this year to get us solid points on the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Final Lineup<\/strong>: Vincent Norrman $6400, Sam Ryder $6100, Greyson Sigg $7100, Min\u00a0Woo Lee $9200, Sepp Straka $9400, Shane Lowry $10,500<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n$15 FREE for PREMIUM GOLF PICKS - CLAIM BELOW<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n |
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