The PGA Tour’s East Coast swing is finally upon us, kick-started by the 10th event of the year, the Cognizant Classic, taking place in the picturesque Palm Beaches from February 27 to March 2. This tournament, which dates back to 1972 under its former moniker, the Honda Classic, holds the distinction of being one of the few Tour events Tiger Woods never won.
Last year, Austin Eckroat etched his name into the annals of golf history by securing his first-ever PGA Tour victory at the Cognizant Classic, edging out Australian pro Min-Woo Lee and South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen by three strokes. Eckroat returns to defend his championship this year, aiming to be the first to do so since the legendary Jack Nicklaus in 1978. However, he faces stiff competition, not just from his fellow golfers but potentially from the weather as well.
AccuWeather’s forecast for the Cognizant Classic outlines a challenging atmospheric playing field. Over the four event days, intermittent drizzle is expected, with precipitation levels fluctuating. The opening day will see a sunny start with temperatures reaching 27°C, accompanied by strong wind gusts exceeding 26 km/h. Rain is predicted in patches, with a 44% chance of precipitation, and a heavy atmosphere due to 73% humidity.
Afternoon temperatures are set to rise slightly, but the threat of a rain shower persists. Wind gusts will peak at 24 km/h and the humidity will decrease to around 62%. Evenings will be cooler at around 21°C and less windy, but the humidity will likely climb to 82%. Clear skies aren’t forecasted, with cloud cover ranging between 30% and 40% throughout the day.
Friday is likely to be cooler with less chance of rain. Mornings will be windy with gusts hitting 33 km/h. Though the afternoon will be hotter at 23°C, it will also see more cloud cover (67%) and less likelihood of rain. Players can expect high humidity in the evenings, almost 92%, posing a significant challenge.
The weekend promises a change in weather patterns. Saturday mornings will be cool yet windy, with 28 km/h winds. The possibility of rain is minimal (10%) but cloud cover will be significant, at 73%. The afternoon, however, could see rain with a 60% probability, reduced wind speed, and a dip in visibility to 7 km. There is also a 12% chance of thunderstorms carrying on into the evening.
Sunday will likely continue the wet trend with a 41% chance of rain and 8% probability of thunderstorms. Wind gusts are expected to hover around 26 km/h, with cloud cover at 53%. While the weather may not be the biggest challenge at the PGA National Members Club, it could still throw a curveball or two at the field.
As for the competition, Austin Eckroat will have to contend with an array of talent vying for the $9.2 million prize. Jordan Spieth, the latest big-name participant to confirm his attendance, will be a formidable competitor, along with Shane Lowry, the bookies’ favourite and a three-time PGA Tour title holder. Seven former tournament champions, including Chris Kirk, Keith Mitchell, Russel Henley, Rickie Fowler, and Sung-Jae Im, will also be in the mix. Recent Mexico Open top finishers, Brian Campbell and Aldrich Potgieter, are also set to tee off in Florida.
All eyes are now on the Cognizant Classic, as Eckroat defends his title amidst challenging weather conditions and a strong field of competitors. Who will emerge victorious? Will Eckroat manage to replicate his success? Only time will tell.
