Irish Star Comfortable in Home Waters

Shane Lowry is embracing the comforts of home as he prepares for the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, a tournament where he has consistently performed well. The event, held at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, marks the start of a demanding five-week stretch of competition for the 2019 Open champion.

Lowry’s decision to play through this busy period is largely due to the convenience of being able to stay at his home in Jupiter, Florida. He stated, I think if it was five weeks in a row and there was no home weeks in there, I wouldn’t play five weeks in a row. I think the fact I’m saying at home this week makes it easier.

Strong Track Record at PGA National

Lowry’s affinity for the Champion Course at PGA National is well-documented. He has a history of strong finishes, including a runner-up result in 2022. His past performances include a tied fifth in 2023, tied fourth in 2024, and tied 11th last year.

He explained his fondness for Florida golf courses, saying, I really enjoy Florida golf… I do love Florida golf now. He too noted his ability to adapt to the local grasses, a skill he honed after moving to the area.

Field and Competition

Ryan Gerard, currently ranked 26th in the world, is the highest-ranked player in the field. Lowry is ranked 30th, and Aaron Rai is ranked 32nd. They are all grouped together for the opening two rounds with Billy Horschel.

Lowry acknowledged the challenging schedule and the impact it has on player participation, stating, I’m sure every tournament, bar the signature events, don’t acquire the fields that they’d aim for… The reason players don’t play is players don’t want to play that much. It is a tough stretch of golf.

Other Notable Players

Daniel Berger, a Jupiter resident, is making his 10th appearance at the Cognizant Classic. Séamus Power also returns to tour life at the Cognizant after a solid start to the season.

Tournament Details

• Purse: $9.6 million (€8.15 million) / $1.7 million ($1.44 million) to the winner.
• Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
• Course: PGA National – Champion Course (7,223 yards, par 71).

Betting Odds

Lowry is among the market leaders, with odds of 14-1. Ryan Gerard is slightly favored at 12-1. Other contenders include Nicolai Hojgaard (16-1) and Rasmus Hojgaard (20-1). Will Zalatoris is an each-way bet at 33-1.

Broadcast Information

Live coverage will be available on Sky Sports+ starting at 11:45 am and on Sky Sports Golf starting at 4:00 pm.