When PGA Tour begins its Florida swing on Cognizant Classic in Palm Beaaches on Thursday, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Daniel Berger are among the names that strive for a release victory.
A couple of fan favorites, Spieth and Fowler, have dropped to No. 70 and 95, respectively, in the official world golfing in the midst of difficult stretches. Spieth is still working back from August’s wrist operation and made his season debut earlier this month.
After bounding for the fourth at the WM Phoenix Open, he missed the average on Genesis Invitational, a signature event that only cut 18 players. This will be his first time competing at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, FLA.
“It was really nice to come back and then even get into battle for a week,” Spieth said. “So my goal now, when we look at the champions, is to try to play difficult golf courses and work in battle and just see what I can improve when we come to Augusta.”
Spieth has not won on tour since April 2022, while Fowler’s Rocket Mortgage Classic 2023 is his only victory this decade.
“In terms of play, definitely trends and on the way in the right direction,” Fowler said. “Obviously, last year was back to playing any bad golf or not necessarily taking advantage of any opportunities. Played poorly on weekends.
“Not a good start this year, but I feel I have seen many good things, and I know that I am at least trends. It’s positive.”
This tournament is a “home game” for the many players like Fowler living in nearby Jupiter, Florida. It goes twice for Berger, a Florida native and Florida State Alum.
When he was ranked as high as No. 12 in the world, Berger missed some of 2022 and a whole 2023 when he repeated a back injury. He ended a quiet season 2024 with a T2 finish at RSM Classic and has started a nice start this year, tie for second place in Scottsdale and place 12th place on Genesis.
“It took me legitimate a year to feel that I was the same golfer I was before injury,” Berger said. “I actually feel that I am a more knowledgeable golfer, as I understand what I need to do. I feel my body better. I think it will make me a better player in the future.”
PGA National was once known as one of the tougher tracks on the tour, but the trend in recent years has won points in the two -figures under par, where it had once been in single numbers. When Austin Eckroat won last year with a 17 under 263, it was the lowest score since 2003.
“The monitored golf course so it is no longer bermuda. Green is fantastic; they are the best I have ever seen them,” Berger said. “Chipping is noticeably easier now. … you won’t see guys duff balls they would do when it was pure bermuda. It’s much easier.”
The course still has its challenges, namely “Bear Trap”, the 15 to 17th holes with plenty of water in play.
-Field level media
