The PGA Tour begins the 2026 Florida Swing this week with the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, Feb. 26 – March 1.
Another signature event, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard, returns to Orlando’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge, March 5-8. Then the Tour’s flagship event, The PLAYERS Championship, will be played March 12-15. After that, the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort marks the end of the tournament stretch in the Sunshine State, March 19-22.
The Cognizant Classic venue is the Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa, and the field is filled with 56 PGA Tour winners combining for 141 TOUR titles.
World No. 11 Ben Griffin, No. 25 Ryan Gerard, and No. 29 Shane Lowry join five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka in the field. Also competing are 14-time TOUR winner Adam Scott, who won this event a decade ago, and 2014 FedEx Cup Champion Billy Horschel.
Koepka, who recently returned to the PGA Tour after winning 9 times before his short-lived departure, was added to the field so as not to take a spot from a current member.
Defending champion Joe Highsmith returns to the course where he defeated both Jacob Bridgeman and 2025 U.S. Open winner J.J. Spaun by two strokes.
The Washington native became the 17th player to earn his first Tour title in this event, and the fifth in the last seven years. In addition to Highsmith, the Cognizant Classic will welcome six other previous champions, including Austin Eckroat (2024), Chris Kirk (2023), Keith Mitchell (2019), Camilo Villegas (2010), Matt Kuchar (2002), and Scott.
South Florida residents Luke Clanton, Eric Cole, Nick Dunlap, Taylor Pendrith, Neal Shipley, and Gary Woodland will enjoy a rare home game, with 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year Johnny Keefer also planning to tee it up.
For over four decades, the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches has been a much-anticipated event on the schedule and within the South Florida community and a force for good, supporting over 50 area charities.
On TV:
The 2026 Cognizant Classic will be broadcast from February 26 to March 1, 2026, primarily on Golf Channel and NBC. Live streaming is available via Peacock (simulcasting TV coverage) and ESPN+ for “PGA TOUR LIVE” featured coverage.
| Round/Date | TV Coverage | Streaming Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 Thur, Feb 26 |
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Golf Channel) | 6:50 AM – 6:00 PM (ESPN+) / Peacock |
| Round 2 Fri, Feb 27 |
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Golf Channel) | 6:50 AM – 6:00 PM (ESPN+) / Peacock |
| Round 3 Sat, Feb 28 |
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Golf Channel) 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (NBC) |
6:50 AM – 6:00 PM (ESPN+) / Peacock |
| Final Round Sun, Mar 1 |
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Golf Channel) 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (NBC) |
6:50 AM – 6:00 PM (ESPN+) / Peacock |
Tournament Essentials
Venue: PGA National Resort (The Champion Course) in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
Defending Champion: Joe Highsmith
Streaming Details: ESPN+ provides four exclusive feeds daily (Main Feed, Marquee Group, Featured Groups, and Featured Holes) beginning as early as 6:50 AM. Peacock typically simulcasts the Golf Channel and NBC windows.
