Top Golfers Commit to Cognizant Classic at PGA National

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Four of the world’s top 20 golfers, including two recent PGA Tour winners, have committed to compete in the Cognizant Classic at PGA National, tournament officials announced Thursday.

Shane Lowry, ranked 18th globally, will make his sixth consecutive appearance at the event, where he finished as runner-up in 2022. Sepp Straka, currently ranked 16th and leading the FedEx Cup standings, returns for his seventh straight year. Straka made history in 2022 as the first Austrian to win on the PGA Tour, claiming victory at this tournament when it was known as the Honda Classic.

“This puts us in a unique situation that over the next 16 days it gives us a strong benchmark to go after,” said Cognizant’s first-year representative during Thursday’s media day. “From a recruiting standpoint, we’ll continue to try to get even more players in the top 50.”

Fan favorite Rickie Fowler, a Jupiter resident and 2017 tournament champion, has also committed to play. Other notable commitments include Austin Eckroat, who won the World Wide Technology Championship in November, and Nick Taylor, who captured this year’s Sony Open in Hawaii.

The tournament, now in its second year with Cognizant as title sponsor, will feature 14 of the world’s top 50 players – a significant increase from nine at this point last year. The event runs from Feb. 27 through March 2 at PGA National’s Champion Course.

Luke Donald, the 2006 tournament winner and European Ryder Cup captain, will also compete as he prepares to lead Team Europe for the second time. Donald guided Europe to victory over the U.S. in 2023 in Rome.

Defending champion Austin Eckroat returns to the field, along with Min Woo Lee, who tied for second place in last year’s event. Television coverage begins Feb. 29 on GOLF Channel, with weekend rounds airing on NBC.