{"id":481735,"date":"2026-02-21T10:30:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T10:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/481735\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T10:30:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T10:30:08","slug":"cognizant-classic-features-121-player-field-but-no-rory-mcilroy-or-scottie-scheffler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/481735\/","title":{"rendered":"Cognizant Classic features 121-player field but no Rory McIlroy or Scottie Scheffler"},"content":{"rendered":"

Defending champion Joe Highsmith returns to the Cognizant Classic<\/a> in the Palm Beaches at PGA National, the first non-signature event in three weeks.<\/p>\n

The 121-player field will be missing some notable names next week, though, including world No. 2 Rory McIlroy who\u2019s skipping the first leg of the Tour\u2019s Florida swing <\/a>in favor of playing practice rounds at Augusta National in preparation for his Masters title defense.<\/p>\n

Also skipping the Cognizant are Scottie Scheffler, Justin Rose<\/a>, Tommy Fleetwood and Collin Morikawa, which means none of the top-5 ranked players in the world<\/a> will be at the Champions Course in West Palm Beach. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s who is in for the first stop in Florida:<\/p>\n

The PGA TOUR\u2019s Florida Swing begins next week at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National. <\/p>\n

Field for the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches: pic.twitter.com\/YSL2m4qkGM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

World No. 11 Ben Griffin is the top-ranked player on the list, leading a field that is highlighted also by Max Homa, Tom Kim, Shane Lowry and Will Zalatoris.<\/p>\n

No. 12-ranked Sepp Straka will also be in attendance, having playing strong golf over the last two weeks, both signature events.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Perhaps most notably in the field is Brooks Koepka<\/a>, playing in his first Tour event since the WM Phoenix Open<\/a> in which he did not make the cut. In his first event back from LIV Golf, Koepka finished T-56 at the Farmers Insurance Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n