The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches Predictions - Top contender for victory at PGA National

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

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Brad Newcomb 1 hour ago

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Cognizant Classic 2026 kicks off the Florida Swing on the PGA Tour.
Key contenders: Ryan Gerard, Nicolai Hojgaard, Rasmus Hojgaard, Haotong Li.
Gerard's recent form and experience could lead to victory at PGA National.

Ryan Gerard has finished second on multiple occasions this season (Getty Images)

A competitive field has gathered in Palm Beach for the opening event of the Florida Swing, with the Cognizant Classic up for grabs. Who will secure the title at this traditional stop on the PGA Tour this weekend?

Joe Highsmith returns to defend his title after a two-stroke victory over Jacob Bridgeman and J.J. Spaun in 2025.

Past Major winners who will tee off on Thursday include Brooks Koepka, Shane Lowry, Adam Scott, Webb Simpson, Danny Willett and Gary Woodland.

These are our four selections that could win the title this weekend.

Ryan Gerard

Ryan Gerard has been on top of his game on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour in 2026, placing 2nd at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, 2nd at the Sony Open in Hawaii, T2 at the American Express, T11 at the Farmers Insurance Open, T45 at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and T28 at the Genesis Invitational last weekend.

Other prominent performances achieved by Gerard last season include 9th at the Texas Children's Houston Open, 2nd at the Valero Texas Open, a T12 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a T8 at the PGA Championship, a T23 at the Memorial Tournament, a victory at the Barracuda Championship, and a T20 at the Bank of Utah Championship.

The American has made two appearances at the Cognizant Classic, finishing 4th in 2023 and T25 in 2025.

Gerard has the form to pocket the winner's cheque at PGA National this weekend.

Scott has been in great shape this season and can win this event in Florida for a second time come Sunday.

Nicolai Hojgaard

Nicolai Hojgaard has been in excellent form on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour this season, placing T52 at the Dubai Invitational, T4 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, T22 at the Farmers Insurance Open, and T3 at the WM Phoenix Open.

Other noteworthy results achieved by Hojgaard last season include 2nd at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a T24 at the Rocket Classic, a T4 at the Genesis Scottish Open, a T14 at the Open Championship, a T2 at the Betfred British Masters, a T14 at the Baycurrent Classic, a T3 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and a T11 at the DP World Tour Championship.

The three-time DP World Tour winner has featured twice at the Cognizant Classic, missing the cut in 2022 before finishing T18 in 2025.

Nicolai Hojgaard has been knocking hard in recent outings and can secure the title in Florida this weekend.

Rasmus Hojgaard

Rasmus Hojgaard has been in solid form on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour in his last seven starts, placing T3 at the Sanderson Farms Championship, T14 at the Baycurrent Classic, T23 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, 7th at the DP World Tour Championship, T44 at the American Express, T30 at the Farmers Insurance Open, and T24 at the WM Phoenix Open.

Other notable results achieved by Rasmus Hojgaard this year include 2nd at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a T23 at the Truist Championship, a T16 at the Open Championship, 2nd at the Danish Golf Championship, a T13 at the Betfred British Masters, and a T2 at the Omega European Masters.

The five-time DP World Tour winner missed the cut at the 2024 Cognizant Classic on debut.

Rasmus Hojgaard could upstage the others and lift the trophy at PGA National come Sunday.

Haotong Li

Haotong Li has been performing well on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour this season, placing T10 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, T55 at the Sony Open in Hawaii, T8 at the American Express, and T11 at the Farmers Insurance Open before missing the cut at the WM Phoenix Open.

Other results achieved by Haotong Li last season include a T22 at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, a victory at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, a T16 at the South African Open Championship, a T9 at the Porsche Singapore Classic, a T4 at the Volvo China Open, a T2 at the Turkish Airlines Open, a T4 at the Soudal Open,

a T4 at the Open Championship, and a T8 at the Betfred British Masters.

The four-time DP World Tour winner will make his debut at the 2026 Cognizant Classic this weekend.

Haotong Li has been in great shape this season and can win this event in Florida come Sunday.

Verdict

Cognizant Classic

Gerard has gone close to winning lately and could secure the title at PGA National this weekend.

Nicolai Hojgaard has every chance of victory at the 2026 Cognizant Classic, as he comes into this tournament in great touch.

Rasmus Hojgaard has been thereabouts lately and will be challenging for his maiden PGA Tour victory come Sunday.

Haotong Li has featured on the leaderboards at multiple tournaments this season and could emerge victorious in Florida this weekend.

Ryan Gerard

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