The prestigious PGA Tour is on the move again, this time trading the vibrant landscapes of Mexico for the sun-drenched shores of Florida. The Palm Beaches are set to host the highly anticipated Cognizant Classic, scheduled to run from February 27 to March 2.
The tournament promises a star-studded lineup, with Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero, two of Italy’s finest golfers, set to take center stage. The duo recently placed 49th and 68th respectively in Nuevo Vallarta, but now they have their sights set on the American greens, ready to make their mark. They will be competing against past champions like Luke Donald, the 2006 winner of this tournament and the current captain of the Europe team at the Italian Ryder Cup in 2023. The competition will also be attended by some of the biggest names in European golf, including Ireland’s Shane Lowry and Austria’s Sepp Straka, the 2022 winner of this event.
In a dynamic twist to the event, reigning champion Austin Eckroat is set to defend his title. The American golfer bagged his first major victory on the circuit last year at the PGA National Resort, and then replicated his success at the World Wide Technology Championship in November 2024. With two Top 15 finishes already under his belt in 2025, Eckroat is aiming to become the first golfer since the legendary Jack Nicklaus (1977-1978) to achieve back-to-back victories in this event.
The competition will also see a host of American golfers vying for the top spot, including Jordan Spieth, Billy Horschel, Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland, Russell Henley, and Daniel Berger. The event will also welcome Brian Campbell, who recently surprised the golfing world by winning the Mexico Open.
The Cognizant Classic, formerly known as the Honda Classic until 2023 due to sponsorship arrangements, boasts a hefty prize pool of $9,200,000. The victor will walk away with a sizable $1,656,000 share. Moreover, the tournament serves as the final chance for golfers to secure their spots in The Players Championship, scheduled for March 13-16 in Florida. This flagship event of the PGA Tour features a staggering prize pool of $25,000,000.
The PGA Tour, headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, a suburb of Jacksonville, Florida, is the premier organization that oversees the major professional golf tours in the United States. Often recognized by its all-capital lettering, “PGA TOUR”, it is a name synonymous with the highest level of professional golf.
