Honda out, Cognizant in: A fresh look classic in Florida Palm Beaches
Formerly the Honda Classic, the new-look event at Palm Beaches has a slightly different feel to it this week. After the tournament last year, Honda ended the longest-running uninterrupted title sponsorship deal of a PGA Tour event.
Initially, this year’s edition was going to be called the Classic at The Palm Beaches. But Cognizant, an information technology services and consulting company, has become the new title sponsor.
Star-Studded Field Takes to the Greens
With a key couple of months coming up in professional golf. With the first major of the year just over a month away, some top players have made the decision to play PGA National this week.
Seemingly, to try and gain some momentum going into Augusta. The biggest name in the field, Rory McIlroy. Revealed a few months ago that he would play more than usual in the lead-up to The Masters. Hoping to ensure he is in prime form to chase the Grand Slam.
The all-elusive Masters has evaded the Northern Irishman in his career, and this year marks a decade since his last major win altogether. He has come close several times, he has also missed the cut a handful, including last year.
The pressure on his shoulders always heightens when April rolls around, and it is impossible for him to avoid the spotlight. After a promising opening to his season with a win and T2 in Dubai, he has only mustered a T66 and T24 finish at Pebble Beach and The Genesis, respectively.
He will look to rectify his poor start to the year on the PGA Tour this week as the Florida swing takes centre stage. Rory will play with last week’s maiden winner Jake Knapp and defending champion Chris Kirk in the first two rounds.
Embed from Getty ImagesNew Sponsors, Unchanged Course
Despite the switch from Honda to Cognizant, the event will still be played at PGA National in the Palm Beach, where the tournament has been played for the past 19 years. The course has mixed popularity in golf media, but the climax always provides an exciting finish come Sunday afternoon.
After the great Jack NIcklaus‘ makeover in 1990, holes 15-17 were renowned as ‘The Bear Trap’ and it is considered one of the toughest stretches on Tour.
Despite the 15th and 17th being par-3’s. The alarming presence of water that is in play with any loose shot means players must maintain utmost concentration if they are attempting to close out the tournament. 2023 provided all the drama as Chris Kirk and Eric Cole went down the wire before the former won in a playoff.
The Tour, and the fans, will be hoping for a similar climax on Sunday.
Embed from Getty ImagesDisappointing 2024 Tour Schedule Kickoff
The concept of signature/designated events that were introduced last year on Tour was a resounding success in 2023. The fields were smaller, but all the top players came together, and it created some compelling competition.
This year, however, it has not lived up to the billing. There has not been the same ‘ wow’ factor that was present last year. It is not promising for the Tour’s product when all the top players are competing against each other. But they do not go toe-to-toe on the back nine on Sunday.
Next week, the Arnold Palmer Invitational takes centre stage at Bay Hill, one of the best stops on Tour, so hopefully, from an entertainment standpoint, it delivers.
Embed from Getty ImagesThere is no doubt that the absence of most recent LIV transfers. Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm has left a hole in the week-to-week fields on Tour. But it is now up to the other big names, to hit top form, to ensure we see some stellar leaderboards in the coming weeks.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
