Extended highlights from the second round of the 2026 Cognizant Classic at PGA National, where there were several hole-outs and even some jawing with the fans.
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Brooks Koepka struggled with his short game during the first 18 holes at the 2026 Cognizant Classic. Koepka, who’s playing in front of a hometown crowd this week, had similar issues with the putter during two West Coast events earlier this year.
The first of four Florida stops on the PGA Tour continues Friday at the Cognizant Classic, where Austin Smotherman and Nico Echavarria have gained separation on the leaderboard from the rest of the field.
Unfazed by a quadruple bogey on the 17th hole, David Ford rallied with an incredible approach shot for eagle on PGA National’s second hole. He followed it up with an equally impressive eagle on 3, completely undoing the four strokes gained from his front nine. And if that wasn’t enough, Ford’s hole-out par save on 4 gave him three consecutive makes from off the green.
Daniel Berger has the best combined opening-round score of any player on Tour at PGA National since 2020. Berger, who shot a 4-under 67 on Thursday, sits comfortably inside the Cognizant Classic’s top 10 after 18 holes.
Austin Smotherman entered the 2026 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches fully rested after having the last two weeks off. He put it to good use during Thursday’s opening round, making six straight birdies on his way to a 9-under 62.
David Ford’s opening round at PGA National went sideways after he found himself caught in the Bear Trap on the 17th hole. Ford finished with a quadruple bogey after a few strokes without a shoe went nowhere. Meanwhile the Golf Channel booth recalled Bill Haas finding bottom of the same hole 15 years prior on his way to winning the 2011 Tour Championship.
Gary Woodland opened his back nine at PGA National with back-to-back birdies thanks to this long putt on 11. A moment later, Patton Kizzire saw his tee shot almost sink in for an ace. The lipout around the cup forced Kizzire to settle for a birdie putt of his own. Both players getting back to even on the first round.
Austin Smotherman entered the 2026 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches fully rested after having the last two weeks off. He put it to good use during Thursday’s opening round, making six straight birdies on his way to a 9-under 62.
Zalatoris was a last-minute withdrawal from the Cognizant Classic on Thursday, citing a left-ankle injury.
The Champion Course at PGA National is known for challenging even the game’s most elite players. The 3-hole stretch from 15-16-17, better know as the “Bear Trap,” has changed the fate of tournaments over the years but where does it rank on Tour as the hardest run of consecutive holes? And is it even the most challenging 3-hole stretch on the course or does that honor belong to holes 5, 6 and 7? Golf Channel’s Paige Mackenzie shares her insights.