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The Cognizant Classic, formerly known as The Honda Classic, is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour in South Florida. It was founded in 1972 as Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic and took place in Lauderhill, Broward County. The tournament moved around Broward County for several years, struggling to attract top golfers, until it found a home at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens in 2007. The tournament has been held annually at the resort for over 15 years and features one of the best stretches of finishing holes in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Cognizant Classic (formerly The Honda Classic) |
| Year founded | 1972 |
| Original name | Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic |
| Current sponsor | Cognizant |
| Previous sponsors | National Airlines, American Motors Corporation (AMC), American Honda Motor Company |
| Location | PGA National Resort, Palm Beach County, South Florida |
| Course | Champion Course |
| Main beneficiary | Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation |
| Chairman of the foundation | Barbara Nicklaus |
| Prize money | $6.4 million in 2017 |
| Top prize | $1.152 million |
| Winner in 2016 | Adam Scott |
| Winner in 2025 | Joe Highsmith |
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What You'll Learn
The Cognizant Classic is held in South Florida
The Cognizant Classic is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, held in South Florida. It was founded in 1972 as "Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic", and was initially held in Lauderhill, Broward County. The tournament moved around South Florida for many years, spending time in Coral Springs, Weston, and Palm Beach Gardens.
In 2007, the Cognizant Classic found its permanent home at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach County, where it has been held annually each March since. The resort's Champion Course is considered one of the toughest on the PGA Tour, with its infamous Bear Trap stretch of holes 15-17. The tournament has seen some celebrated players over the years, including Nicklaus, who won three consecutive years from 1976 to 1978, and Rory McIlroy, who rose to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking with his win in 2012.
The Cognizant Classic is more than just a golf tournament, it has a charitable aspect too. Since 2007, the tournament's primary beneficiary has been the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, chaired by Barbara Nicklaus, wife of golfing legend Jack Nicklaus. The Cognizant Classic has also been a boon for the local economy, helping to put the relatively unknown Broward County on the map as a destination for golf enthusiasts and tourists alike.
The Cognizant Classic is a prestigious event on the PGA Tour and an important part of South Florida's cultural calendar, attracting spectators and participants from around the world to the Sunshine State each year.
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The tournament's home is the PGA National Resort
The Honda Classic Golf Tournament has been held at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, since 2007. The resort is home to the Champion Course, which is considered one of the best golf courses in the US and has been the venue for many prestigious golf tournaments.
The Cognizant Classic (formerly known as the Honda Classic from 1982 to 2023) is a PGA TOUR golf tournament played annually in March. The tournament has been hosted by the PGA National Resort since 2007, marking the end of its years of moving from course to course. The permanent home of the tournament has contributed to attracting better players.
The PGA National Resort boasts world-class golf courses and landscaping, with the Champion Course being renowned as one of the toughest challenges on the PGA TOUR. The course includes the infamous "Bear Trap," which consists of holes 15-17 and is considered the most difficult three-hole stretch on the tour. Hole #14, redesigned by Jack Nicklaus, adds another level of challenge with its bear claw feature.
The resort itself offers a luxurious golf experience with upgraded amenities, tech enhancements, and indulgent features. The $100 million transformation includes a 40,000 sq ft spa, a state-of-the-art sports and racquet club, diverse culinary experiences, and an inviting pool area. The resort is situated near several Palm Beach County and South Florida beaches, providing a range of leisure options for guests.
The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort has witnessed memorable moments in golf, including Adam Scott's 2016 victory, which propelled him back into the Top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking. The tournament has attracted large crowds, with 202,128 confirmed spectators in 2016, and continues to be a premier event on the PGA TOUR.
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The Honda Classic is a PGA Tour event
The tournament was founded in 1972 as Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic, named after the "Honeymooners" actor who owned a home in Lauderhill, Florida, where the tournament was first held. From 1982 to 2023, the tournament was known as The Honda Classic, with title sponsorship from the American Honda Motor Company. In late 2023, Cognizant took over as the new title sponsor, and the tournament was renamed the Cognizant Classic.
The Honda Classic has had a nomadic history, moving from course to course in South Florida, including Broward County, Coral Springs, Weston, and Palm Beach Gardens. This constant moving gave the tournament a reputation as a "rootless" event that struggled to attract top golfers. However, in 2007, the tournament found a permanent home at the PGA National Resort's Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, putting an end to its wandering ways.
The Champion Course at PGA National is known for its challenging layout, particularly the infamous "Bear Trap," which consists of holes 15-17 and is commonly regarded as the toughest three-hole stretch on the PGA Tour. Hole #14, redesigned by Jack Nicklaus, adds another layer of difficulty with its bear claw feature. The tournament has seen some celebrated champions, including Adam Scott in 2016, who rose to victory over the demanding course.
The Honda Classic is more than just a golf tournament; it also has a charitable aspect. Since 2007, the tournament's primary beneficiary has been the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, chaired by Barbara Nicklaus, wife of golfing legend Jack Nicklaus. The event has helped raise significant funds for this worthy cause while also providing thrilling golf action and attracting thousands of spectators each year.
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The tournament has moved locations over the years
The Cognizant Classic, previously known as The Honda Classic, has been a staple of South Florida since its founding in 1972. The tournament has moved locations several times over the years, earning it a reputation as a "'rootless tournament'".
The Cognizant Classic was founded in 1972 as Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic in Lauderhill, Broward County. It replaced the National Airlines Open Invitational, which had run for three seasons from 1969-1971 at the Country Club of Miami in Hialeah.
During its early years, the tournament was staged at different courses in Broward County, including the Inverrary Country Club (East course) from 1972-1983. In 1984, the tournament moved to TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, where it remained until 1991. From 1992-1995, it was held at the Weston Hills Golf & Country Club in Weston.
In 1996, the tournament returned to Coral Springs, first at TPC Eagle Trace and then at TPC Heron Bay from 1997-2002. The Honda Classic then moved to Palm Beach County, starting with the Country Club at Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens from 2003-2006.
Finally, in 2007, the tournament found its current home at the Champion Course at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens. This move marked a turning point for the tournament, as it has since attracted improved player fields and increased attendance.
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The Cognizant Classic was founded in 1972
The Cognizant Classic, a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour in South Florida, was founded in 1972 as Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic. The tournament replaced the National Airlines Open Invitational, which ran for three seasons from 1969 to 1971 in March at the Country Club of Miami in Hialeah. Gleason's tournament replaced it on the schedule a month earlier in 1972 at the Inverrary Country Club (East course) in Lauderhill.
The Cognizant Classic has been hosted by seven different courses, including its current home, the PGA National Resort and Spa, where it has been played since 2007. The tournament has also been held at TPC Eagle Trace (nine times), Weston Hills Golf and C.C. (four times), TPC at Heron Bay (six times), and the Country Club at Mirasol (four times).
Prior to settling at the PGA National Resort, the Cognizant Classic (then known as the Honda Classic) faced difficulties in attracting top players due to its itinerant nature. During this time, the tournament was staged at various Broward County courses, including TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs (1984-1991), Weston Hills Golf & Country Club in Weston (1992-1995), and the Country Club at Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens (2003-2006).
In late 2023, Cognizant took over as the title sponsor of the tournament, previously sponsored by American Honda Motor Company from 1982. The change in sponsorship resulted in the tournament's renaming from the Honda Classic to the Cognizant Classic.
The Cognizant Classic has featured notable players such as Nicklaus, who won for three consecutive years from 1976 to 1978, Rory McIlroy, and Jake Knapp, who broke the course record with a score of 59 in 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
The Honda Classic is held in South Florida, at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach County.
The Honda Classic takes place in March each year.
The Honda Classic is played on the Champion Course, which was redesigned by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus.
