Cognizant Classic Round 1 Odds: PGA Tour Round 1 Leader

Dylan Wilkerson Sports Betting Expert

9 minute read

_{© Featured Image: Peter Casey-Imagn Images}

The 2026 Cognizant Classic: Kickstarting the Florida Swing

The PGA Tour makes its annual transition to the East Coast this week for the 2026 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. Formerly known for over four decades as the Honda Classic, this tournament serves as the traditional opening act of the "Florida Swing"—a four-week stretch of golf in the Sunshine State characterized by challenging winds, pervasive water hazards, and grainy Bermuda grass.

Prediction markets are all the craze, and prediction market apps like Kalshi offer users a way to trade contracts on who will win the Cognizant Classic. We have included the latest PGA Tour First Round odds below at Kalshi Use our Kalshi promo code to get started by clicking on the module below.

Updated on 2/23/26

Kalshi

Trade $10, Get $10!

Bonus Code

INSIDER

Claim $10

Must be 18 years or older and have a legal, U.S. residential address within the applicable state, D.C., or U.S. territories. Not available in AZ, IL, MA, MD, MI, MT, NJ, and OH.

Cognizant Classic Round 1 Leader Odds

Kalshi offers users the ability to trade on who will (or won't) be the leader after round 1 of the Cognizant Classic. Below are the latest trading prices for some of the biggest names playing in the Cognizant Classic.

The Venue: PGA National’s Champion Course

The tournament returns to its long-time home at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The Champion Course, originally designed by Tom Fazio and later redesigned by Jack Nicklaus, is famously one of the most difficult tests on the PGA Tour.

The centerpiece of the course is the "Bear Trap," a daunting three-hole stretch (Nos. 15, 16, and 17) that frequently decides the winner on Sunday. Consisting of two par-3s and a par-4 where water is prominently in play, the Bear Trap is widely regarded as one of the toughest gauntlets in professional golf.+1

The Field and Notable Players

The 2026 field features a mix of seasoned veterans, rising stars, and local Florida residents. While some top-ranked players like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are skipping this year's event to prepare for upcoming Signature Events, the field remains deep:

• Defending Champion: Joe Highsmith returns to the site of his first career PGA Tour victory, looking to become the first back-to-back winner since the tournament moved to PGA National.
• The Favorites: World No. 11 Ben Griffin enters as one of the highest-ranked players in the field. He is joined by fan favorites Max Homa, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
• The Specialist: Shane Lowry, a frequent contender at this venue who thrives in difficult conditions, is widely considered a frontrunner.
• The Return: Major champion Brooks Koepka is a notable addition to the 2026 field, drawing significant attention as he competes on a course near his South Florida home.
• Past Champions: The field includes several former winners, including Adam Scott (2016), Chris Kirk (2023), and Austin Eckroat (2024).

Though not designated as a "Signature Event," the Cognizant Classic offers substantial rewards for a standard PGA Tour field:

• Purse: The total prize pool is $9.6 million, with the winner taking home a primary share of $1.728 million.
• FedEx Cup Points: The winner will earn 500 FedEx Cup points, crucial for securing a spot in the season-ending playoffs and qualifying for next year’s Signature Events.
• The Trophy: Beyond the money, the winner gains a two-year PGA Tour exemption and an invitation to the Masters and the PGA Championship.

How to Watch

Fans can follow the action across multiple platforms from Thursday, February 26 through Sunday, March 1:

Dylan Wilkerson

Dylan Wilkerson has over 5 years of experience reporting and analyzing the sports betting industry for various sites. His portfolio includes work for SportsHandle and Action Network, in addition to VegasInsider. His favorite sports are the NFL, College Football, The PGA Tour, the LIV Tour, and Cricket. Dylan has a broad and deep understanding of various sports-related topics. More from Dylan Wilkerson