Cognizant Classic Recap: Knapp Gets Wet

Winning is hard. If you've ever led your weekend foursome by two strokes heading into the back nine, you know what Knapp was feeling on Sunday. Yes, I know your potential payout was closer to $20 than the $1.65 million Highsmith walked away with, but the point tracks. 

5 Takeaways from the 2025 Cognizant Classic 

With the Players and the Master's on the horizon, it's easy to overlook this stretch of the calendar. But this year's Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches was entertaining, if nothing else. Here's what we'll remember: 

1. Lead Changes

Ten different golfers occupied the #1 spot on Saturday. It's hard to remember a tournament that was this up-for-grabs heading into the back nine on Sunday. 

2. Knapp's 59

As good as he was on Thursday, a lip out on 17 and a near-eagle on 18 could have landed him in rare air. Ultimately, a disastrous triple bogey on 11 all but ended his chances of winning the tournament.  

3. Rickie and Spieth Show Signs of Life  

Rickie Fowler's did a lot of talking this week - with his mouth and his game. He exchanged words with a patron following a missed putt, but put together a solid weekend finishing tied for 18th place at -12. A disappointing 72 on Sunday spoiled what could have been a breakout 2025 performance. 

Now let's talk Golden Boy. This season has been a microcosm of Spieth's golf game: wildly erratic, undeniably exciting, and heading in the right direction. A top-10 at Cognizant was a much-needed rebound after an embarrassing missed cut at the Genesis Invitational. 

4. Water Messes with the Pros, Too

It's not just amateurs who dread a forced carry over water. Holes 15-17, dubbed the "Bear Trap," saw a quad, triple, several doubles, and countless bogeys throughout the weekend. This weekend is a good reminder to always, always, take enough club. 

5. Highsmith Gets It Done

Saturday and Sunday were a war of attrition. After barely making the cut on Friday, Joe Highsmith turned in back-to-back 64s during the weekend to get the win. His first on tour, it will be interesting to see if this propels him moving forward.