X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Horse For The Course: PGA DFS Course History - 2025 Cognizant Classic

Todd McGill's DraftKings, FanDuel PGA DFS picks for the 2025 Cognizant Classic At The Champion Course At PGA National. Picks for daily fantasy golf based on course history

We are finally through the PGA Tour's West Coast swing that ended this past week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The country's national open was a snooze fest for much of the tournament until an exciting final day that ended in one of the craziest playoffs you will ever see, as Brian Campbell finally earned a professional victory after 10 years of struggle between various tours. It's as good a story as you'd hope to have in such a weak field, and it will be interesting to see what he can do with the opportunity for the rest of the season.

All focus now turns to the Sunshine State for the next four weeks, which hosts two of the biggest pre-Masters events in the AP Invitational and The Players Championship. But first, a stop at PGA National for the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens is on the docket. A longtime event that has gone through many names and venues, this is oftentimes the start of a few different names cluttering the leaderboards as we move to the more typical golf grasses of South Florida. So, it will be important to identify the horses in this change of environment.

Horse For The Course is an article highlighting players in this week's field with elite course history and is part of our free PGA DFS content here at RotoBaller. For some of the favorite DFS plays of the week check, out the Core Four article written by my buddy, Joe Nicely here at RotoBaller every Wednesday. It's part of our amazing PGA Premium package that includes an all-new PGA Research Station, Lineup Builder & Optimizer, and some of the best articles in the PGA DFS industry! You can sign up now using Promo Code: TDG for an extra discount at checkout!

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 30% off using code WIN! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

2025 Cognizant Classic

Like we saw last week in Mexico, most of the world's top talent is choosing to skip this event in preparation for the two-week stretch that follows at Arnie's place and TPC Sawgrass. However, it is still miles better than who played at Vidanta Vallarta with guys like Shane Lowry, Billy Horschel, and Sungjae Im planning to tee it up Thursday.

Scores at this event can vary greatly depending on the severity of the wind, but for the most part, they typically stay north of -10 under par. That is difficult scoring for a non-major or even non-signature event and another reason why many top players avoid this place. That being said, players who win this tournament usually go on to have successful years and beyond, so even if none of your favorite players are competing this week, it is still an important event to pay attention to.

While the two weeks following the Cognizant are the real meat and potatoes of the Florida Swing, there are still plenty of reasons to pay attention over these four days. Even if the field isn't the most appealing in terms of recognizable names, PGA National has a knack for giving us incredible moments down the stretch. The finishing par-5 18th hole has produced some electrifying moments, as anyone within three shots of the lead can do some crazy stuff on the reachable second shot given they hit a good drive.

 

You can find out who the smart money is on by checking out Spencer Aguiar's PGA DFS: Vegas Report every week. And be sure to read our other top-notch weekly PGA DFS articles and Player News/Matchup Outlook Posts to help you win big!

 

PGA National Resort (Champion Course)

Par 71- 7,167 | Greens: Tifeagle Bermudagrass | Designed By: Tom Fazio

Given the unforgiving wind and demanding approaches, The Champion Course at PGA National is ball-striker-centric. 125-200 yards made up 62.9% of all approach shots last season while strokes gained on approach made up 0.650 of the total strokes gained average of 1.966.

For many players, especially those more unfamiliar with golf in South Florida, adjusting to the grainy bermuda surfaces can be a challenge, both in reading greens and playing pitch/chip shots around them. The path to success for most past winners has been hitting a ton of greens in regulation and avoiding around-the-green scenarios as much as possible. Last year's champion, Austin Eckroat is a prime example, as he led the field last year in GIR at 81.9%

The top-down view of holes shows a glaring theme that better explains what works here. 11 of the 18 holes, but most importantly, the final eight holes are all designed to penalize players for missing right. This could be a major reason draw-biased players (Chris Kirk and Keith Mitchell being recent examples) have had so much success here.

 

Recent Cognizant Classic Winners

  • 2024: Austin Eckroat (-17)
  • 2023: Chris Kirk (-14)
  • 2022: Sepp Straka (-10)
  • 2021: Matt Jones (-12)
  • 2020: Sungjae Im (-6)

 

The Horse

Shane Lowry

  • Notable Finishes: 2nd ('22), T4 ('24), T5 ('23)

With 28 tournament rounds under his belt at PGA National, Shane Lowry is one of the more experienced players around this venue. However, it has only been the last three seasons that he has begun to play well, as his best finish before 2022 was a T21.

He's never missed the cut here in seven starts, and given his play to begin the year, it could be his week to get back in the winner's circle. The Irishman ranks inside the top 70 in all strokes gained metrics, and is one of the most accurate drivers off the tee, as he ranks 25th in driving accuracy (66.43%).

 

The Ponies

Sepp Straka

  • Notable Finishes: 1st ('22), T5 ('23)

There shouldn't be much surprise to see Sepp Straka here given his lengthy history of being one of the Tour's premier ball-strikers as well as a past champion. Consistency over his six starts is one thing keeping him from the top spot in this article, as the two notable finishes are the only ones worth mentioning.

He is much more comfortable putting on bermudagrass, as his strokes gained putting metrics seem to be far less detrimental to his placement finishes than other areas of the country. It will be interesting to see how he bounces back from a missed cut at the Genesis, where he lost strokes on approach for the first time this season. Luckily, Torrey Pines is a much different animal than PGA National and doesn't suit his shorter, accuracy-focused game.

 

Daniel Berger

  • Notable finishes: 2nd ('15), 4th ('22), T4 ('20)

The resurgence continues for Daniel Berger, as the former FSU golfer attempts to get back inside the top 50 in the world this week (currently ranked 52nd) for the first time since November 2022. It has been a successful start to the 2025 season, as he's coming off a T2 at the Phoenix Open and a solo 12th at the Genesis.

While most of his game is firing on all cylinders, his blend of accuracy and distance off the tee gives him a huge advantage against the field; ranking 62nd in driving distance (307.1) and 23rd in driving accuracy (66.52%). He also ranks 8th in par 4 scoring average (3.89) and 11th in bogey avoidance (11.11%), which is especially helpful on a difficult test like the Champion Course.

 

Did you know RotoBaller has a Premium DFS PGA subscription?

Like what you read today? You can show your support for Todd by using promo code TDG when purchasing a PGA Premium Pass. You get 10% off and full access to all of our Premium PGA articles, DFS tools, and Lineup Optimizer!

 

Russell Henley

  • Notable Finishes: 1st ('14), T3 ('21), T8 ('20)

Like most of the guys in this article, Russell Henley has played in this event many times. He won an incredible four-man playoff here 11 years ago against Russell Knox, Rory McIlroy, and Ryan Palmer. A gutsy birdie on the first playoff hole earned him his second PGA Tour victory.

Given the current play he's shown to start 2025, another contention is in the cards this week, as the 35-year-old ranks 24th on the season in strokes gained on approach (+0.582) and putting (+0.537). He has also been one of the most accurate players this year, ranking 12th in driving accuracy (69.30%) and 36th in greens in regulation (72.22%).

Henley is a perfect fit for PGA National for his 9.21% right rough tendency, meaning that even his misses play away from most of the danger here. The only worry at this venue lies in his short game, as he's only gained strokes in three starts, though he shouldn't have too many worrisome predicaments if the ball striking stays solid.

 

  Win More With RotoBaller

Win more with expert tools and advice from proven winners! RotoBaller's PGA Premium Packages feature several savvy analysts and proven winners for DFS and betting.

Our very own Joe Nicely took down a big DraftKings DFS tournament for the Travelers Championship. And as an encore, RotoBaller subscriber @tenndolly2 won $100K on FanDuel with the help of Joe and the rest of our Premium PGA team:

Between all the incredible Premium PGA DFS and Betting content and tools we put out each week, and our Premium Slack Community where we chat with our subscribers before lineups lock, RotoBaller PGA subscribers are armed with the tools, analysis, and advice to win more.

Golf DFS News and Player Outlooks


More PGA Analysis and DFS Lineup Picks

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP