Jake Knapp secured a surprise win in the Mexico Open last week and this week there is a real lack of quality in the Cognizant Classic, with a number of top golfers missing the event in preparation for next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. There is therefore an opportunity for a lesser-known name to earn a big PGA Tour win, but it won’t be easy with former Major winner Rory McIlroy still among the field. Let’s dive into our expert golf predictions and best bets f or the Cognizant Classic.
Cognizant Classic golf picks and predictions
McIlroy has made minimal impact in 2 PGA Tour starts this season but the Northern Irishman is unquestionably the one to beat in the Cognizant Classic at PGA National. All eyes will be on McIlroy, who bids to put 2 poor results at Pebble Beach and the Genesis Invitational behind him at PGA National, where he won his 3rd US title at the 2012 Honda Classic. Once considered one of the PGA Tour's premier events, the Cognizant Classic has lost a lot of its luster in recent seasons – as well as its best-known sponsor – and McIlroy has struggled in 3 appearances since he was denied by Russell Henley in a 4-man playoff in 2014.
However, the Champion Course, a testing Florida layout famed for its brutal Bear Trap finish, is a great fit for McIlroy, who was able to bounce back from a sluggish start at the Genesis last time, carding rounds of 66, 69 and 70 from Friday onwards. McIlroy had +1000 odds to win that Signature Event at Riviera a fortnight ago. Two weeks later, he's +750 — admittedly in a larger field – to claim victory in a tournament missing almost all of the PGA Tour's leading players with Cameron Young rated his closest market rival at +2200.