Rory McIlroy headlines the field at the renamed Cognizant Classic, which was the Honda Classic for many a moon, and the Northern Irishman is an emphatic favourite for the opening event of the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing.
McIlroy can be backed at 7/1 for Cognizant Classic glory. This is the first time the four-time Major champion has teed up in this event since he finished 59th in the 2018 event. He won the Honda Classic in 2012 to become world number one for the first time.
McIlroy tees off in the Cognizant Classic as world number two – and Scottie Scheffler is taking the week off – so their duel at the top of the rankings could soon take another twist.
Second in the betting is 22/1 chance Cameron Young, who remains a PGA Tour maiden. Young has contended for some of the biggest titles in the sport, finishing third in the 2022 US PGA, runner-up in the 2022 Open and seventh in last year’s Masters, but getting over the line in front on the PGA Tour has proved beyond him.
We have looked at the tournament and picked out two players who could upstage the market leaders and go a long way at healthy odds
Cognizant Classic Tips
talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Get £10 in free bets*
Cognizant Classic: Sepp Straka to win & each-way @ 40/1
Georgia-based Austrian Sepp Straka looks good value to win for a second time at the Champions Course, PGA National. The tough layout, which has been home to this tournament since 2007, was slain by Straka when he won his maiden PGA Tour title in the 2022 Honda Classic.
Straka enjoyed a second PGA Tour victory in the John Deere Classic last summer, before playing his part in Europe’s emphatic Ryder Cup triumph in Italy. Straka is the world number 25 and ready to challenge for all the game’s most prestigious prizes.
The 30-year-old finished seventh in the US PGA last year, then tied for second in the Open. He was fifth on his PGA National title defence 12 months ago and will expect to be a leading contender again at one of his favourite venues.
Cognizant Classic: Adam Svensson to win & each-way @ 40/1
Florida-based Canadian Adam Svensson is another lively runner on offer at a healthy price. He went to university in the Sunshine State and has been based in Palm Beach Gardens ever since.
Svensson won the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School event at this week’s venue in 2015 by a seven-shot margin, before going on to win three times on that circuit. He showed his affection for PGA National again in the 2022 Honda Classic, finishing ninth.
Svensson has taken time to get going this season, but a share of tenth place in the Genesis Invitational last time out was hugely encouraging. He appears to have found his form at an ideal juncture.
talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Get £10 in free bets*
*all odds correct at time of writing and subject to change
*18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ on any sport at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get £10 Free Bets on any sports market. Free bets expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
News Summary:
- talkSPORT betting tips – Best golf bets and expert advice for the Cognizant Classic
- Check all news and articles from the latest Golf updates.