The Cognizant Classic is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour in south Florida. It was founded in 1972 as Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic,[1] and prior to a schedule change in 2021 was frequently the first of the Florida events in late winter following the "West Coast Swing."

Cognizant Classic
Tournament information
LocationPalm Beach Gardens, Florida
Established1972
Course(s)PGA National Resort and Spa
(Champion Course)
Par70
Length7,125 yards (6,515 m)
Organized byIMG
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$9,000,000
Month playedFebruary/March
Tournament record score
Aggregate264 Justin Leonard (2003)
To par−24 as above
Current champion
United States Austin Eckroat
Location map
PGA National is located in the United States
PGA National
PGA National
Location in the United States
PGA National is located in Florida
PGA National
PGA National
Location in Florida

National Airlines was the sponsor in 1973 with Gleason, and American Motors Corporation (AMC) backed it in 1981. From 1982 to 2023, American Honda Motor Company (Honda) was the title sponsor, and it was known as The Honda Classic. In late 2023, Cognizant was announced as the new title sponsor.[2]

Tournament history

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The tournament's predecessor, the National Airlines Open Invitational, ran for just three seasons from 1969 to 1971), all in late March at the Country Club of Miami in Hialeah. The Gleason tournament replaced it on the schedule a month earlier in 1972 at the Inverrary Country Club (East course) in Lauderhill, and was among the richest events on tour with an inaugural purse of $260,000 and a $52,000 winner's share.[3]

The regular event was not played in 1976, as Inverrary hosted the Tournament Players Championship in late February, won by Jack Nicklaus. Gleason's nine-year affiliation ended after 1980.[4]

The 1981 event was renamed "American Motors Inverrary Classic" as it was sponsored by American Motors Corporation, then the following two years it was known as the "Honda Inverrary Classic" after a switch in sponsor to Honda.[5][1] In 1984 the tournament moved to TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, where it remained until 1991.

From 1992 to 1995, the event was held at the Weston Hills Golf & Country Club in Weston. It then returned to Coral Springs, first at the TPC at Eagle Trace in 1996 and then at the TPC at Heron Bay from 1997 to 2002. In 2003, the event moved to Palm Beach Gardens, first at the Country Club at Mirasol through 2006,[6] then to the Champion Course at PGA National Resort and Spa in 2007.[7]

Since 2007, the tournament's main beneficiary is the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, chaired by Barbara Nicklaus, wife of hall of fame golfer Jack Nicklaus.

IMG bought the tournament's management company in 2013.[8]

Player participation

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Some celebrated players have won this tournament, including Nicklaus in 1977 and 1978, the only consecutive winner in its history. However, the tournament had acquired a reputation for struggling to attract the top players as it moved from course to course in South Florida. Since 2007, The Honda Classic has seen a vastly improved player field, largely due to the decision to make PGA National the tournament's permanent home.

The prize money is comparable to other regular PGA Tour events. The total purse was $6.4 million in 2017, with a top prize of $1.152 million (this can be contrasted to the total purse in 1981 of $300,000 (the equivalent of only $1,005,417 in 2023 dollars[9]). The original winner's share of $52,000 in 1972 made it one of the richest stops on tour,[3] greater than for any of the four majors; it was more than double that of the Masters, which had a first prize of $25,000 in 1972.[10]

Tournament highlights

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Tournament hosts

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Years No. Venue City State
2007–present 15 PGA National Resort and Spa
(Champion Course)
Palm Beach Gardens   Florida  
2003–2006 4 Country Club at Mirasol
1997–2002 6 TPC at Heron Bay Coral Springs
1996 1 TPC Eagle Trace
1992–1995 4 Weston Hills Golf and C.C. Weston
1984–1991 8 TPC Eagle Trace Coral Springs
1972–1983 11 Inverrary Country Club
(East Course)
Lauderhill

Winners

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Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Purse
(US$)
Winner's
share ($)
Cognizant Classic
2024   Austin Eckroat 263 −17 3 strokes   Min Woo Lee
  Erik van Rooyen
9,000,000 1,620,000
The Honda Classic
2023   Chris Kirk 266 −14 Playoff   Eric Cole 8,400,000 1,512,000
2022   Sepp Straka 270 −10 1 stroke   Shane Lowry 8,000,000 1,440,000
2021   Matt Jones 268 −12 5 strokes   Brandon Hagy 7,000,000 1,260,000
2020   Im Sung-jae 274 −6 1 stroke   Mackenzie Hughes 7,000,000 1,260,000
2019   Keith Mitchell 271 −9 1 stroke   Rickie Fowler
  Brooks Koepka
6,800,000 1,224,000
2018   Justin Thomas 272 −8 Playoff   Luke List 6,600,000 1,188,000
2017   Rickie Fowler 268 −12 4 strokes   Morgan Hoffmann
  Gary Woodland
6,400,000 1,152,000
2016   Adam Scott 271 −9 1 stroke   Sergio García 6,100,000 1,098,000
2015   Pádraig Harrington (2) 274 −6 Playoff   Daniel Berger 6,100,000 1,098,000
2014   Russell Henley 272 −8 Playoff   Russell Knox
  Rory McIlroy
  Ryan Palmer
6,000,000 1,080,000
2013   Michael Thompson 271 −9 2 strokes   Geoff Ogilvy 6,000,000 1,080,000
2012   Rory McIlroy 268 −12 2 strokes   Tom Gillis
  Tiger Woods
5,700,000 1,026,000
2011   Rory Sabbatini 271 −9 1 stroke   Yang Yong-eun 5,700,000 1,026,000
2010   Camilo Villegas 267 −13 5 strokes   Anthony Kim 5,600,000 1,008,000
2009   Yang Yong-eun 271 −9 1 stroke   John Rollins 5,600,000 1,008,000
2008   Ernie Els 274 −6 1 stroke   Luke Donald 5,500,000 990,000
2007   Mark Wilson 275 −5 Playoff   José Cóceres
  Camilo Villegas
  Boo Weekley
5,500,000 990,000
2006   Luke Donald 276 −12 2 strokes   Geoff Ogilvy 5,500,000 990,000
2005   Pádraig Harrington 274 −14 Playoff   Joe Ogilvie
  Vijay Singh
5,500,000 990,000
2004   Todd Hamilton 276 −12 1 stroke   Davis Love III 5,000,000 900,000
2003   Justin Leonard 264 −24 1 stroke   Chad Campbell
  Davis Love III
5,000,000 900,000
2002   Matt Kuchar 269 −19 2 strokes   Brad Faxon
  Joey Sindelar
3,500,000 630,000
Honda Classic
2001   Jesper Parnevik 270 −18 1 stroke   Mark Calcavecchia
  Geoff Ogilvy
  Craig Perks
3,200,000 576,000
2000   Dudley Hart 269 −19 1 stroke   J. P. Hayes
  Kevin Wentworth
2,900,000 522,000
1999   Vijay Singh 277 −11 2 strokes   Payne Stewart 2,600,000 468,000
1998   Mark Calcavecchia (2) 270 −18 3 strokes   Vijay Singh 1,800,000 324,000
1997   Stuart Appleby 274 −14 1 stroke   Michael Bradley
  Payne Stewart
1,500,000 270,000
1996   Tim Herron 271 −17 4 strokes   Mark McCumber 1,300,000 234,000
1995   Mark O'Meara 275 −9 1 stroke   Nick Faldo 1,200,000 216,000
1994   Nick Price 276 −8 1 stroke   Craig Parry 1,100,000 198,000
1993   Fred Couples 207[a] −9 Playoff   Robert Gamez 1,100,000 198,000
1992   Corey Pavin 273 −15 Playoff   Fred Couples 1,100,000 198,000
1991   Steve Pate 279 −9 3 strokes   Paul Azinger
  Dan Halldorson
1,000,000 180,000
1990   John Huston 282 −6 2 strokes   Mark Calcavecchia 1,000,000 180,000
1989   Blaine McCallister 266 −22 4 strokes   Payne Stewart 800,000 144,000
1988   Joey Sindelar 276 −12 2 strokes   Ed Fiori
  Sandy Lyle
  Payne Stewart
700,000 126,000
1987   Mark Calcavecchia 279 −9 3 strokes   Bernhard Langer
  Payne Stewart
600,000 108,000
1986   Kenny Knox 287 −1 1 stroke   Andy Bean
  John Mahaffey
  Jodie Mudd
  Clarence Rose
500,000 90,000
1985   Curtis Strange 275 −13 Playoff   Peter Jacobsen 500,000 90,000
1984   Bruce Lietzke 280 −8 Playoff   Andy Bean 500,000 90,000
Honda Inverrary Classic
1983   Johnny Miller (2) 278 −10 2 strokes   Jack Nicklaus 400,000 72,000
1982   Hale Irwin 269 −19 1 stroke   George Burns
  Tom Kite
400,000 72,000
American Motors Inverrary Classic
1981   Tom Kite 274 −14 1 stroke   Jack Nicklaus 300,000 54,000
Jackie Gleason-Inverrary Classic
1980   Johnny Miller 274 −14 2 strokes   Charles Coody
  Bruce Lietzke
300,000 54,000
1979   Larry Nelson 274 −14 3 strokes   Grier Jones 300,000 54,000
1978   Jack Nicklaus (2) 276 −12 1 stroke   Grier Jones 250,000 50,000
1977   Jack Nicklaus 275 −13 5 strokes   Gary Player 250,000 50,000
1976: No tournament
1975   Bob Murphy 273 −15 1 stroke   Eddie Pearce 260,000 52,000
1974   Leonard Thompson 278 −10 1 stroke   Hale Irwin 260,000 52,000
Jackie Gleason Inverrary-National Airlines Classic
1973   Lee Trevino 279 −9 1 stroke   Forrest Fezler 260,000 52,000
Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic
1972   Tom Weiskopf 278 −10 1 stroke   Jack Nicklaus 260,000 52,000

Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Sources:[28][29]

Multiple winners

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Four men have won the tournament more than once.

2 wins

Notes

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  1. ^ Shortened to 54 holes due to weather.

References

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  1. ^ a b Treglown, Dick (February 28, 1972). "Weiskopf wins Gleason crown". Palm Beach Post. p. D1.
  2. ^ "The Cognizant Classic". thecognizantclassic.com. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Weiskopf no longer the brat". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. February 28, 1972. p. 3B.
  4. ^ Shain, Jeff (February 22, 2018). "Flashback: Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic". Pro Golf Weekly. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  5. ^ Smith, Jeff (February 26, 2019). "The Honda Classic Primer: History, TV, Field, Odds". Pro Golf Weekly. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "Golf: Honda Classic". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). March 13, 2006. p. C6.
  7. ^ "Golf: Honda Classic". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). March 6, 2007. p. C4.
  8. ^ Global firm IMG buys company that runs Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens
  9. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  10. ^ "Golf: Masters". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. August 10, 1972. p. 4B.
  11. ^ "Weiskopf captures Inverrary golf title". Telegraph-Herald. Dubuque, Iowa. Associated Press. February 28, 1972. p. 10.
  12. ^ "Leonard Thompson wins Inverrary Classic". Spartanburg Herald. South Carolina. Associated Press. February 25, 1973. p. B1.
  13. ^ "Nicklaus rally tops Jones". Morning Journal and Record. Meriden, Connecticut. UPI. February 27, 1978. p. 10.
  14. ^ "Miller snaps slump with Inverrary golf win". The Montreal Gazette. March 10, 1980. Retrieved January 14, 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  15. ^ "Strange Hits 66-201 Leads Inverrary by Four". The New York Times. March 8, 1981. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  16. ^ Mell, Randall (March 8, 1998). "Nicklaus' Greatest Finish: 1978 at Inverrary?". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  17. ^ "Longshot Knox Takes Honda Classic Title". Herald-Journal. March 2, 1986. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  18. ^ "Former Caddy, Calcaveccia wins Honda Golf Classic". Observer-Reporter. Washington, Pennsylvania. March 9, 1987. Retrieved January 14, 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  19. ^ Mayo, Michael (March 11, 1990). "Huston's Feats Incredible in 3rd Pair of Shoes, 28-Year-Old Leads Honda by 1". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  20. ^ "Pate Fights Winds, Wins Honda Classic". The Albany Herald. Georgia. March 11, 1991. Retrieved January 14, 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  21. ^ Green, Bob (March 16, 1992). "Eagle helps Pavin eventually win Honda Classic in playoff". Daily Union. Junction City, Kansas. Retrieved January 14, 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  22. ^ "Herron shakes off rookie status in Honda Classic win". Times Daily. Alabama. March 12, 1996. Retrieved January 14, 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  23. ^ "Hart right at home". Boca Raton News. Florida. March 13, 2000. Retrieved January 14, 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  24. ^ "Hamilton captures Honda Classic". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. March 15, 2004. Retrieved January 14, 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  25. ^ Reynolds, Tim (March 5, 2007). "Wilson wins Honda Classic in playoff". USA Today. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  26. ^ Harig, Bob (March 4, 2012). "Rory McIlroy takes No. 1 spot". ESPN. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  27. ^ Harig, Bob (March 2, 2012). "Brian Harman flirts with golf history". ESPN. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  28. ^ The Honda Classic – Winners – at golfobserver.com
  29. ^ The Honda Classic – Winners – at PGATour.com
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26°49′44″N 80°08′28″W / 26.829°N 80.141°W / 26.829; -80.141