The Former Honda Classic

[Steve_ Shaffer]

PGA National Resort sports a new vibe amid timeless tradition.
A $100 million reinvention of the iconic Palm Beach Gardens, Florida destination includes course architect Andy Staples’ work on the 18-hole Match and par-3 Staple courses.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida — There’s a confluence of golf generations around the PGA National Resort property beginning this spring.
Jack Nicklaus, circa late 1970s, with flowing blond hair and plaid Sansabelt trousers comes to mind as guests walk the salmon-colored carpets of the restored resort, view the golden palm trees that adorn each guest room, sit on the circular couches that take a corner of each room or see the throwback PGA National logo. The look is a characterized as “Palm Beach chic.”
Then in a direct modernization of the game, there is the 18-hole Andy Staples-designed Match Course with no established tees and wildly entertaining green complexes. Also, the par-3 Staple Course features Adirondack chairs on each tee box and even more rolling and eccentric greens.


Propped up by a $100 million reinvention over the last few years, the PGA Tour visits PGA National's Champion Course for this week's Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches. There’s even a new vibe in the tournament as Cognizant, a global information technology services and consulting company, has stepped in as the title sponsor after Honda separated from the PGA Tour in 2023 following a 41-year relationship.


Read more:


https://www.firstcallgolf.com/features/feature/2024-02-27/pga-national-resort-sports-a-new-vibe-with-timeless-tradition

[Steve_ Shaffer]

No wind, no problem. Chad Ramey, S.H. Kim share lead after first round of Cognizant Classic
Seventeen players shoot 66 or better in first round

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/pga/2024/02/29/chad-ramey-s-h-kim-share-lead-after-first-round-of-cognizant-classic/72788950007/

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Cognizant Classic: Bud Cauley's inspiring return includes 36-hole lead in hometown event
Read more:

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/pga/2024/03/01/bud-cauleys-inspiring-return-includes-lead-at-cognizant-classic/72799470007/

[Craig Sweet]

Same ol' water logged course. 

[Steve_ Shaffer]

PALM BEACH GARDENS — The mighty Champion Course at PGA National appears to have lost its cutting edge after recent efforts to produce a gentler course for professional golfers.
The 2024 Cognizant Classic set a new standard for low scoring on the vaunted course: Champion Austin Eckroat shot 17-under, the best by an event winner on the Champion Course, while a record 27 total golfers shot 10-under or better.
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/2024/03/04/champion-course-offers-up-record-lows-for-golfers-at-cognizant-classic/72838166007/

[Dan_Callahan]

I hate to say it, but the leaderboard of these last few tournaments shows the impact LIV has had on the Tour's ability to produce a compelling field. Seems to erode a little bit more every month. And despite how bad he played, the most intriguing storyline this week was with LIV and AK's return. If they could just host an event on a cool course, I might be forced to watch.

[JohnVDB]

Subtract 4 from the under par scores as they changed a hard par 4 into a short par 5 this year. It was the easiest hole in the course relative to par.

[Kalen Braley]

To add to John's comment, the course was also very wet which seemed to make the approaches a lot easier as balls weren't running out into bunkers, ponds, or greenside cabbage.

P.S.  I tuned into LIV for about 10 minutes to have a look at the course, (which I hadn't heard of).  The surprising thing was seeing top name players like Jon Rahm playing in front of near zero fans....even silly season events have far larger galleries.

[Bruce Katona]

The most compelling golf of the week is toady's Pro/Member @ Seminole.


That should be televised/live streamed.


Today's PGA Winner Austin Eckroat did not make his 8:19 Seminole Tee time; he was too busy winning $1.6 million.