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It’s time for some thrilling golf action in the Florida swing of the PGA Tour with the Cognizant Classic, Formerly known as the Honda Classic, this tournament is upping the ante this year with a whopping $9 million purse, making it a must-watch event for golf fans everywhere.

The champion of this event will take home a generous amount of $1,620,000 as a prize for their outstanding performance. In the previous 2023 tournament, the top prize was $8.4 million, with Chris Kirk clinching victory and winning $1.512 million.

The second-place golfer walks away with a hefty $981,000 prize, whereas the golfer in third earns $621,000. Even those who don’t make it to the top still get rewarded for their hard work. 

For instance, the player in 65th position still pockets $19,350. In addition to the attractive financial rewards, participants can also earn a whopping 500 FedEx Cup points and valuable world ranking points.

Past champions who will be aiming to recreate their victories from previous tournaments are Sepp Straka, Rickie Fowler, and Sungjae Im. Some other notable players in the lineup are McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Tom Kim

Top players to watch out for in Cognizant Classic 2024

Rory McIlroy, with odds of 6-1 is one of the favorites to walk away from the prize. The Northern Irishman is the top pick to win the tournament, and it’s easy to see why. He’s a previous winner at PGA National (2012) and has been performing exceptionally well in 2024, securing a victory in Dubai earlier this year.

Cameron Young with odds of 22-1. Keep an eye on this talented young American who made quite an impression at the Honda Classic last year. He’s determined to build on that success and make the most of his momentum at PGA National. Russell Henley, with 25-1 odds, is a reliable player who brings a wealth of experience to the table. Making him a formidable competitor. He has placed in the top 30 in six out of his last eight events.

Chris Kirk, the defending champion, may not be considered one of the top favorites, but he holds the advantage of being familiar with the course. With his previous victory in 2023, he is determined to repeat his success this time around.

Rasmus Hojgaard is also one to watch out for. The young golfer from Denmark has been on fire in the DP World Tour, consistently finishing in the top 16 in his last eight events. Despite limited course history at PGA National, his impressive current form definitely makes him a player to watch out for.

The Cognizant Classic will kick off on February 29th, featuring a strong lineup of players and a generous prize pool. It’s sure to be an exciting event for both participants and spectators.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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