2025 Cognizant Classic Golf Free Picks, Predictions and DFS Lineup February 27

2025 Cognizant Classic Preview- Golf Free Picks

WagerTalk golf handicapper Andy Lang offers his thoughts on the 2025 Cognizant Classic teeing off from PGA National Resort & Spa (The Champion) – Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Andy discusses his DraftKings Darlings, golfers to who can trip you up and the course and more surrounding the 2025 Cognizant Classic teeing off on February 27th!

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2025 Cognizant Classic	2025 Cognizant Classic Betting Notes
When:	February 27 – March 2
Where:	PGA National Resort & Spa (The Champion) – Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Defending Champ:	Austin Eckroat
Current Favorite:	Shane Lowry (+2000 at DraftKings)
TV:	Golf Channel, NBC

2025 Cognizant Classic Course Preview

The Champions Course at PGA National is a true Florida test, demanding precision and patience from players. Measuring 7,200 yards as a Par 71, the course features only three par-5s, making it difficult to pick up easy birdies.

Water hazards come into play on 15 of the 18 holes, and with 60 strategically placed bunkers, mistakes are often punished.

The infamous Bear Trap (holes 15-17) is one of the toughest closing stretches on the PGA Tour, capable of derailing a good round in an instant.

Wind is always a factor here, and Friday morning is expected to be particularly windy, adding another layer of difficulty.

While the TifEagle Bermudagrass greens have settled since their 2018 renovation, they can still play firm and make stopping approach shots a challenge.

Players who can navigate the hazards, handle the wind, and capitalize on the limited scoring opportunities will have the best chance to contend in this demanding event.

It’s interesting that the cut line the last 2 years was -2 and +1, but the winners went -17 and -14 showing that there are some low scores out there, but a majority of the field will be struggling.

2025 Cognizant Classic Favorite Holes

Favorite Hole: 16th Hole Par 4, 465 Yards

On paper it doesn’t seem that hard of a hole, but there is trouble everywhere here. The tee shot has to be accurate to have any chance of a great approach shot to set up a birdie putt as there is water and bunkers off the right side of the fairway, and rough and a big bunker off the left side of the fairway.

Any shot not in the fairway, and players will be happy with a par. The green is tucked behind a big bunker, and water so guys will be bailing out to the left or short of the green testing their short game.

Agressive approach shots that go right are bad news, it’s just a very well designed hole showing that making a hole long isn’t the only way to create challenges for players.

18th Hole: Par 5 561 Yards

I’m a big fan of this closing hole. The drive is challenging as there is thick rough and bunkers on the left, and rough and trees on the right. It’s bunkers and water galore around the green so players wanting to go for this hole in 2 will have to hit a perfect one.

Expect a lot of second shots to end up in the bunkers on the left, as water hugs the right side of the green, and there will certainly be more than 1 shot that hits the water.

It’s a real feast or famine Par 5, that can offer anything from birdies to double bogeys, and the second shot into this green will create some interesting discussions between player and caddie.

2025 Cognizant Classic: Players That Can Trip You Up

Sungjae Im

I’m not sure what’s going on with him, but after a 3rd place finish to start the year he’s finished MC, 4th, 33rd, 57th, MC, and he’s missed the cut 2 out of the last 3 years here with a 42nd in there as well.

Looking at his numbers, it’s the approach numbers that are awful at -0.76 this year, which is one of the worst in the field. Bad approaches are a big problem here with the wind, and tough greens and pins locations. He’s an avoid this week.

Austin Eckroat

He won this tournament last year, but it looks like the outlier. He has no Top 20 finishes before the win, and then he only had 2 Top 20 finishes in his next 14 tournaments.

He’s missed the cut in 4 out of the last 5 tournaments this year, and he’s outside the Top 50 in total strokes gained in this field. He’ll be a stay away for me this week.

Denny McCarthy

He’s been playing really good this season, but I can’t ignore his course history here. Missed the cut in 2 straight years, and 5 out of the 7 times he’s played here.

His current form is good, but he just doesn’t play well here, and he’s priced as a Top 8 player this week. I’ll look to bet on other players this week.

Cognizant Classic DraftKings Darlings

(Last week we finished 60th out of 150 players for a small cash on our lineup)

Vincent Norrman $6400

Hold your nose on this one. Technically he’s made the cut in all 5 tournaments this season, and both times he’s played here, but his finishes here are 47th and 63rd. His best finish this year is 29th, but he’s making it to the weekend so we’ll hope that continues.

Sam Ryder $7100

We’ll ride with Ryder again as he’s made the cut in every tournament this season, and he’s finished 21st, 8th, and 9th the last 3 times he’s played here. He’s 32nd in the field in total strokes gained this week, he’s worth playing at this price.

Grayson Sigg $7100

We’ll go right back to Sigg, who got us a 17th place finish last week, and that’s now 17th, 32nd, and 9th in his last 3 tournaments. He made the cut here last year finishing 56th, I’ll hope his form is better this year to get us solid points on the weekend.

Final Lineup: Vincent Norrman $6400, Sam Ryder $6100, Greyson Sigg $7100, Min Woo Lee $9200, Sepp Straka $9400, Shane Lowry $10,500

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