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The Honda Classic is no more but, name aside, there is not much difference for punters or players. The newly-titled Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches (the last four words are going to be dropped by just about everyone) remains on The Champion Course at PGA National and it is a test we all know well. The tournament kicks off the Florida Swing and it is not entirely without fanfare because local resident Rory McIlroy is playing, but the big boys will really turn up next week for the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players’ Championship a week later. The difference between the West Coast Swing and this next stretch? Bermuda grass greens as opposed to Poa Annua, modern and resort style layouts in contrast to mostly traditional, and warmer temperatures (including the blustery winds which is typical of Florida). The Champion Course was originally designed by Tom Fazio prior to getting an upgrade from Jack Nicklaus in 2002, ahead of it becoming a regular host of this event (previously it had travelled around Florida somewhat). It’s a par 70 set at 7,125 yards with plenty of water to threaten the long game (and those breezes exaggerate this threat). As Tommy Fleetwood explained: “There’s so many cross-winds which brings in misses off the tee and into the greens. The cross-winds affect the putts too. It’s just an all-around very, very difficult test, and it tests everyone. It tests every part of your game.” Winner two years ago Sepp Straka said: “You basically try not to hit it in the water. You just pick your safe targets and you hit an aggressive shot at your safe targets.” On theme, McIlroy has said: “It’s a ball-striker’s golf course. You have to hit fairways. You have to hit greens and you have to just take your chances when they come along.” Straka’s win highlighted the capricious nature of the weather. He set a target and then Shane Lowry, a long time leader in the final round who did little wrong, was hit by high wind and driving rain playing 18 and failed to match the Austrian. Last year Chris Kirk, tipped by the column, negotiated his way around the course using veteran wiles to overcome The Bear Trap – the tough four hole stretch Nicklaus significantly tinkered with from 14 to 17.
Angles to consider 1/ Strokes Gained Tee to Green 10 of the last 11 winners have ranked top five in this category, highlighting the importance of missing the water, using the wind and finding fairways and greens. Straka ranked fourth, Kirk fifth and the four winners before them were all first. 2/ Florida form Perhaps Bay Hill form in particular. Kirk has a top five there (one of six top 20s) and that now makes if seven of the last nine PGA National winners who also had a top six at Bay Hill. 3/ Fazio/Nicklaus They are both course designers whose tests can flummox some while others thrive. Be mostly aware of poor records on both but also for signs that the A game has thrived on these tests in the past.
Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players are selected.
Byeong Hun An The Korean ended last season with third in the Scottish Open and second at the Wyndham Championship and has ridden the wave into this campaign. He was fourth at The Sentry and then second in the Sony Open, both on Bermuda and blustery, before ticking along on the West Coast Swing. He was a Florida winner on the Korn Ferry Tour, he’s been fourth and fifth in this event, and has a top 10 at Bay Hill. He was also top 10 for SG T2G in both those Hawaiian event and was fifth last time out. A focus on the long game suits him this week. He’s finished second at Nicklaus’s Glen Abbey and Muirfield Village, and has two top 15 finishes on other Fazio designs. Adam Svensson A three-time starter at the tournament and he’s made the cut every time. On his first two visits he was fourth at halfway and he has a best of ninth in 2022. He can improve on that though. He was T10th last time out at Riviera (sixth for SG T2G) and this test is more his style. He’s been a winner at Sea Island on the main tour, in the blustery Bahamas on the second tier and at Fazio’s The Landings also on the Korn Ferry Tour. He’s solid in Florida and was the halfway leader at Sawgrass last year. Lee Hodges A breakthrough winner in Detroit last summer he has played this event twice and impressed, finishing ninth in 2022 and T14th last year. He also owned a fine record in Florida on the KFT (four top 12s in six starts). In addition to his course form he’s also finished seventh at Fazio’s Congaree and fourth at his Victoria National. And he was T11th at the Nicklaus designed Tahoe Mountain (final round 63) and T12th at Muirfield Village last year (one shot off the 54 hole lead).
Tips: 0-3; -6.00pts 1pt e.w. Byeong Hun An at 28/1 (888Sport 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) 21st 1pt e.w. Adam Svensson at 40/1 (Coral, Ladbrokes 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10) mc 1pt e.w. Lee Hodges at 80/1 (Coral, Ladbrokes 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10) mc
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