The Cognizant Classic is a prestigious golf event on the PGA Tour that takes place in southern Florida. It has a long history dating back to 1972 when it was established as Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic. Before the tour schedule was revised in 2021, it was often the first of the Florida tournaments in late winter after the "West Coast Swing."
The tournament had various sponsors over the years, such as National Airlines in 1973 with Gleason and American Motors Corporation (AMC) in 1981. From 1982 to 2023, the tournament was known as The Honda Classic, thanks to the sponsorship of the American Honda Motor Company (Honda). In late 2023, Cognizant became the new title sponsor of the event.
Prior to the current tournament, the National Airlines Open Invitational was held at the Country Club of Miami in Hialeah in late March for just three seasons (1969–1971). One month earlier in 1972, at the Inverrary Country Club (East Course) in Lauderhill, the Gleason tournament took its place on the schedule. At the time, it was one of the biggest events on the circuit, with a $260,000 purse and a $52,000 winner's share.
The primary beneficiary of the tournament since 2007 has been the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, which is led by golfer Jack Nicklaus's wife, Barbara.
Who won the PGA Cognizant Classic in 2024?
Austin Eckroat claimed his maiden PGA Tour victory at the 2024 Cognizant Classic, held at the challenging Champion Course of the PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He took home $1,620,000 from the $9,000,000 total prize money.
Eckroat delivered a superb performance in the final round, which was completed on Monday morning after a long weather delay on Sunday. He carded a 5-under 66 with only one bogey, finishing at 17-under 263 for the tournament.
Min Woo Lee and Erik van Rooyen shared the runner-up spot at 14-under, with van Rooyen missing a chance to shoot a sub-60 round on Sunday due to the suspension of play.
PGA The Classic in The Palm Beaches Winner List
The winner list for the Classic in The Palm Beaches is as follows:
| Year | Winner | Score | To Par | By | Money |
| 2024 | Austin Eckroat | 263 | -17 | 3 | $1,620,000 |
| 2023 | Chris Kirk | 266 | −14 | PO | $1,512,000 |
| 2022 | Sepp Straka | 270 | −10 | 1 | $1,444,000 |
| 2021 | Matt Jones | 268 | −12 | 5 | $1,260,000 |
| 2020 | Im Sung-jae | 274 | −6 | 1 | $1,260,000 |
| 2019 | Keith Mitchell | 271 | −9 | 1 | $1,224,000 |
| 2018 | Justin Thomas | 272 | −8 | PO | $1,188,000 |
| 2017 | Rickie Fowler | 268 | −12 | 4 | $1,152,000 |
| 2016 | Adam Scott | 271 | −9 | 1 | $1,098,000 |
| 2015 | Pádraig Harrington (2) | 274 | −6 | PO | $1,098,000 |
| 2014 | Russell Henley | 272 | −8 | PO | $1,080,000 |
| 2013 | Michael Thompson | 271 | −9 | 2 | $1,080,000 |
| 2012 | Rory McIlroy | 268 | −12 | 2 | $1,026,000 |
| 2011 | Rory Sabbatini | 271 | −9 | 1 | $1,026,000 |
| 2010 | Camilo Villegas | 267 | −13 | 5 | $1,008,000 |
| 2009 | Yang Yong-eun | 271 | −9 | 1 | $1,008,000 |
| 2008 | Ernie Els | 274 | −6 | 1 | $990,000 |
| 2007 | Mark Wilson | 275 | −5 | PO | $990,000 |
| 2006 | Luke Donald | 276 | −12 | 2 | $990,000 |
| 2005 | Pádraig Harrington | 274 | −14 | PO | $990,000 |
| 2004 | Todd Hamilton | 276 | −12 | 1 | $900,000 |
| 2003 | Justin Leonard | 264 | −24 | 1 | $900,000 |
| 2002 | Matt Kuchar | 269 | −19 | 2 | $630,000 |
| 2001 | Jesper Parnevik | 270 | −18 | 1 | $576,000 |
| 2000 | Dudley Hart | 269 | −19 | 1 | $522,000 |
| 1999 | Vijay Singh | 277 | −11 | 2 | $468,000 |
| 1998 | Mark Calcavecchia (2) | 270 | −18 | 3 | $324,000 |
| 1997 | Stuart Appleby | 274 | −14 | 1 | $270,000 |
| 1996 | Tim Herron | 271 | −17 | 4 | $234,000 |
| 1995 | Mark O'Meara | 275 | −9 | 1 | $216,000 |
| 1994 | Nick Price | 276 | −8 | 1 | $198,000 |
| 1993 | Fred Couples | 207 | −9 | PO | $198,000 |
| 1992 | Corey Pavin | 273 | −15 | PO | $198,000 |
| 1991 | Steve Pate | 279 | −9 | 3 | $180,000 |
| 1990 | John Huston | 282 | −6 | 2 | $180,000 |
| 1989 | Blaine McCallister | 266 | −22 | 4 | $144,000 |
| 1988 | Joey Sindelar | 276 | −12 | 2 | $126,000 |
| 1987 | Mark Calcavecchia | 279 | −9 | 3 | $108,000 |
| 1986 | Kenny Knox | 287 | −1 | 1 | $90,000 |
| 1985 | Curtis Strange | 275 | −13 | PO | $90,000 |
| 1984 | Bruce Lietzke | 280 | −8 | PO | $90,000 |
| 1983 | Johnny Miller (2) | 278 | −10 | 2 | $72,000 |
| 1982 | Hale Irwin | 269 | −19 | 1 | $72,000 |
| 1981 | Tom Kite | 274 | −14 | 1 | $54,000 |
| 1980 | Johnny Miller | 274 | −14 | 2 | $54,000 |
| 1979 | Larry Nelson | 274 | −14 | 3 | $54,000 |
| 1978 | Jack Nicklaus (2) | 276 | −12 | 1 | $50,000 |
| 1977 | Jack Nicklaus | 275 | −13 | 5 | $50,000 |
| 1976 | Not Played | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1975 | Bob Murphy | 273 | −15 | 1 | $52,000 |
| 1974 | Leonard Thompson | 278 | −10 | 1 | $52,000 |
| 1973 | Lee Trevino | 279 | −9 | 1 | $52,000 |
| 1972 | Tom Weiskopf | 278 | −10 | 1 | $52,000 |
Multiple PGA The Classic in The Palm Beaches Champions
In the more than 50-year history of the event, only four golfers have achieved the rare feat of winning the event more than once, namely, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Mark Calcavecchia, and Padraig Harrington.
| No. of Wins | Name | Country | Years |
| 2 | Jack Nicklaus | USA | 1977, 1978 |
| 2 | Johnny Miller | USA | 1980, 1983 |
| 2 | Mark Calcavecchia | USA | 1987, 1998 |
| 2 | Padraig Harrington | Ireland | 2005, 2015 |
FAQ's On List of Golfers who won The Classic in The Palm Beaches Year by Year
A. Established in 1972 as Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic, it became The Honda Classic from 1982 to 2023, and finally the Cognizant Classic.
A. The Cognizant Classic is held at the Champion Course of the PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
A. Cognizant became the title sponsor of the event in late 2023.
A. The total prize money for the Cognizant Classic is $9,000,000, with the winner receiving $1,620,000.
A. The Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, led by Barbara Nicklaus, has been the primary beneficiary since 2007.
A. Austin Eckroat claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the 2024 Cognizant Classic, finishing at 17-under-267.
