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Brooks Koepka plays a practice round prior to the Cognizant Classic 2026 at PGA National Resort And Spa on February 25.
The 2026 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches tees off this week as the first stop on the PGA Tour’s Florida swing, bringing a mix of veteran stars, rising contenders, and hungry challengers to the Champion Course at PGA National Resort in West Palm Beach, Fla.
This event has deep roots dating back to 1972 and has consistently tested the mettle of golfers with its challenging layout and notorious closing stretch known as the “Bear Trap.” While several marquee names opted out due to the proximity of more high-profile Signature Events on the schedule, the field still boasts plenty of compelling storylines.
A Mix of Experience and Opportunity
Here is a look at the complete field for the 2026 Cognizant Classic, per PGA Tour:
Henrik Norlander (out, W/D from alternate list)
Patrick Rodgers (out, W/D)
Jacob Bridgeman (out, W/D)
Ben Griffin (out, W/D)
Harry Higgs (in, sponsor unrestricted)
Adam Scott (out, W/D)
Lanto Griffin (in)
Jackson Suber (in)
Field expanded from 121 players to 123 to round out threesomes:
Frankie Capan III (in)
Carson Young (in)
Taylor Pendrith (out, W/D)
Sam Ryder (in)
Adam Hadwin (in, sponsor unrestricted)
Rikuya Hoshino (out, W/D from alternate list)
Kim, Michael (out, W/D)
Snedeker, Brandt (in)
Berger, Daniel (in)
Winner of PGA or U.S. Open Championship
Koepka, Brooks
Tournament winner in past two seasons
Brennan, Michael
Campos, Rafael
Davis, Cam
Dunlap, Nick
Echavarria, Nico
Eckroat, Austin
Fisk, Steven
Garnett, Brice
Gerard, Ryan
Griffin, Ben
Higgo, Garrick
Highsmith, Joe
Homa, Max
Horschel, Billy
Jaeger, Stephan
Kim, Tom
Kirk, Chris
Kizzire, Patton
Lowry, Shane
Malnati, Peter
Mouw, William
Pavon, Matthieu
Pendrith, Taylor
Rai, Aaron
Riley, Davis
Schenk, Adam
Simpson, Webb
Thompson, Davis
Valimaki, Sami
Vilips, Karl
Yu, Kevin
Top 70 on prior year FedExCup points list
Bridgeman, Jacob
Rodgers, Patrick
Hughes, Mackenzie
Schmid, Matti
Grillo, Emiliano
van Rooyen, Erik
Top 100 prior season FedExCup Fall points list
Hoey, Rico
McGreevy, Max
Thorbjornsen, Michael
Smalley, Alex
Whaley, Vince
Cole, Eric
Bezuidenhout, Christiaan
Mitchell, Keith
Højgaard, Rasmus
Meissner, Mac
Højgaard, Nicolai
Woodland, Gary
Roy, Kevin
Hubbard, Mark
Ramey, Chad
Phillips, Chandler
Olesen, Thorbjørn
Walker, Danny
Kanaya, Takumi
Sponsors exemptions – unrestricted
Brown, Blades
Villegas, Camilo
PGA Section Champion / Player of the Year
Hicks, Justin
Leading players on DP World Tour (not otherwise exempt)
Reitan, Kristoffer
Saddier, Adrien
Parry, John
Li, Haotong
Nakajima, Keita
Neergaard-Petersen, Rasmus
Smith, Jordan
Brown, Dan
Top 20 prior season Korn Ferry Tour points list
Keefer, Johnny
Blanchet, Chandler
Smotherman, Austin
Shipley, Neal
Lebioda, Hank
Dumont de Chassart, Adrien
Kim, S.H.
Lamprecht, Christo
Chatfield, Davis
Bauchou, Zach
Kang, Jeffrey
Hirata, Kensei
VanDerLaan, John
Dou, Zecheng
Yellamaraju, Sudarshan
Nyholm, Pontus
Top five from PGA TOUR Q-School
Ewart, A.J.
Tosti, Alejandro
Svensson, Adam
Rozo, Marcelo
Wu, Dylan
PGA TOUR University
Clanton, Luke
Sargent, Gordon
Ford, David
Top 30 on prior Year FedExCup points list
Scott, Adam
Top 100 (medical)
Hodges, Lee
Nos. 101–110 on prior season FedExCup Fall points list
Castillo, Ricky
Wallace, Matt
Hossler, Beau
Salinda, Isaiah
Lipsky, David
Fishburn, Patrick
Major medical extension
Zalatoris, Will
Todd, Brendon
Lee, K.H.
Wise, Aaron
Hoffman, Charley
Willett, Danny
Streelman, Kevin
Stanger, Jimmy
Waring, Paul
Nos. 111–125 on prior season FedExCup Fall points list
Svensson, Jesper
Ghim, Doug
Putnam, Andrew
Ventura, Kris
Power, Seamus
Kuchar, Matt
Lower, Justin
Moore, Taylor
Dahmen, Joel
What Fans Should Watch
Course strategy will be at a premium this week at PGA National’s Champion Course, a par-70 layout known for tight fairways, water hazards on 15 of 18 holes, and one of the most demanding three-hole stretches on the PGA Tour. With wind and water factors in play, controlling ball flight and managing approach shots could separate the contenders from the rest.
Odds boards have shifted this week due to the withdrawals of some higher ranked players, elevating Gerard (+1600 odds) and Lowry (+1700) into co-favorite positions in many markets. Still, the presence of top-tier competitors like Koepka (+3000) and Homa (+4500) ensures the leaderboard remains unpredictable.
Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski
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