Palm Beach Gardens, Florida – Shane Lowry is embracing the familiarity of home as he embarks on a five-week stretch of PGA Tour events, beginning with the Cognizant Classic. While many of the world’s top golfers are opting for a break during this portion of the Florida swing, Lowry is finding motivation in the convenience of staying close to his Florida base and a course he’s consistently found success on.
The Irish golfer’s schedule is bookended by signature events – the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis, followed by the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship – creating a demanding run of competition. But, the ability to sleep in his own bed and maintain a semblance of family life is proving to be a significant advantage. Lowry’s decision to prioritize this stretch highlights a strategic approach to managing the grueling PGA Tour schedule.
“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,” Lowry explained. “I think the fact I’m staying at home this week makes it easier. I get to drive to Bay Hill next week, so there’s no flights. I get to notice my family. They get to come to Bay Hill and The Players. There’s a lot in there that makes the five weeks easier than if you’re five weeks away from home.”
Lowry’s comfort level extends to the course itself, PGA National, formerly the Honda Classic. He has a strong track record at the venue, with a runner-up finish in 2022, followed by a tied fifth in 2023, a tied fourth in 2024, and a tied 11th last year. This consistent performance underscores his affinity for the course’s challenges and his ability to navigate its demanding layout.
Familiarity Breeds Confidence at PGA National
The Champion Course at PGA National, measuring 7,223 yards and playing as a par 71, is well-known for its challenging “Bear Trap” – holes 15 through 17 – designed by Jack Nicklaus. The course has been increased by almost 100 yards since last year’s tournament, won by Joe Highsmith. Fifteen of the holes feature water hazards, adding to the difficulty. Lowry appreciates the test, stating, “I really enjoy this tournament, Bay Hill, Players. I really enjoy going to play the Valspar, even though I might not play this year. I’m not sure I can play six in a row. But there’s certain courses I love playing, and a lot of them are Florida courses.”
He also acknowledged a preference for more traditional course setups, adding, “I probably would like to see a bit more of the old traditional set-up. It is what it is this week, and you just have to deal with the cards you’re given.”
Solid Form Heading into the Florida Swing
Lowry’s season has started steadily, with a tied third-place finish at the Dubai Invitational – despite a costly double bogey on the final hole – and a tied 26th at the Dubai Desert Classic. He then returned to the PGA Tour with a top-10 finish at Pebble Beach and a tied 24th at The Genesis. This consistent play demonstrates his current form and sets a positive tone for the upcoming weeks.
Despite the absence of several top-ranked players, the field at the Cognizant Classic still features notable contenders. Ryan Gerard, currently ranked 26th in the world, is the highest-ranked player in the field. Lowry (30th) will be grouped with Billy Horschel and Aaron Rai (32nd) for the opening two rounds, teeing off from the 10th at 5:21 PM Irish time. Séamus Power, who did not qualify for Pebble Beach or The Genesis, will also be in action, grouped with Charley Hoffman and Christiaan Bezuidenhout, starting from the 10th at 5:47 PM Irish time.
Lowry observed that the tournament’s position in the schedule likely contributes to the reduced field size, stating, “I’m sure every tournament, bar the signature events, don’t get the fields that they’d want. I think it is in a very tough spot in the schedule, probably one of the toughest spots in the schedule, and I don’t think it’s anything to do with the course. The reason players don’t play is players don’t want to play that much. It is a tough stretch of golf.”
Tournament Details and Broadcast Information
The Cognizant Classic boasts a $9.6 million (€8.15 million) purse, with $1.7 million ($1.44 million) awarded to the winner. Live coverage will be available on Sky Sports+ starting at 11:45 AM and on Sky Sports Golf from 4:00 PM. Betting odds currently favor Lowry at 14-1, trailing only Gerard at 12-1, reflecting his strong track record at PGA National and his current form. The Hojgaard twins, Nicolai (16-1) and Rasmus (20-1), are also considered strong contenders, while Will Zalatoris is an interesting each-way bet at 33-1.
Power returns to competition after a solid start to the season, making all three cuts with a best finish of tied 11th at the Farmers Insurance Open.
As the PGA Tour’s Florida swing continues, Lowry’s strategic approach and comfort level at PGA National position him as a player to watch. The coming weeks will test his endurance and consistency as he navigates a challenging schedule and aims to build momentum for the season’s major championships.
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