Joe Highsmith scored a surprise victory in the Cognizant Classic, a PGA Tour tournament played on The Champion Course (par 71) at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He finished the tournament with 265 (65 72 64 64, -19) shots, beating Jacob Bridgeman and J.J. Spaun, second with 267 (-17). In fourth place with 268 (-16) Max McGreevy and Ben Griffin, in sixth with 269 (-15), Russell Henley, Michael Kim and Jake Knapp, leaders in the first three rounds, and in ninth with 270 (-9) Jordan Spieth and the South African Erik van Rooyen, the only "foreigner" in the top ten..
ADVERTISEMENT
Two Italians in the race: Francesco Molinari, 65th with 283 (70 67 73 73, -1), and Matteo Manassero, 94th with 139 (68 71, -3), who exited at the cut. The same fate for Austin Eckroat, 111th with 141 (-1), who was defending his title.
Joe Highsmith, results
Highsmith, a native of Lakewood (Washington), a graduate of Pepperdine University, and a professional since 2022, achieved his first success on the tour at the age of 24 years, 10 months and 11 days, shooting two consecutive 64s (-7) to close, the last one with seven birdies, without bogeys. He was the first player to win after making the cut with the last possible score (-5) since 2016 (Brandt Snedeker, Farmers Insurance Open), sixth to do so since 2003. He set his lowest personal score over 72 holes and of the Cognizant Classic since it was played at the Champion Course, one shot off the event record (264, Justin Leonard, 2003).
ADVERTISEMENT
For his feat, he rose from 170th to 59th in the World Ranking, to 10th in the FedEx Cup standings and, in addition to the exemption, received a check for $1,656,000 on a prize pool of $9,200,000. He will also be eligible to play in two Majors, the Masters and the PGA Championship, the Sentry in 2026 and the five remaining Signature events.
The rules of golf are relatively complicated compared to other sports because they are played outdoors, close to nature and animals. Respecting the rules is a basic element in the game of golf, which, almost always based on self-control and the free conscience of the players, often sees distorted results, sometimes consciously, but often unconsciously or through carelessness, due to the non-observance by many players of the rules of the game. In addition to the rules, golf adheres to a code of conduct, known as etiquette, which generally means playing the game with due respect for the golf course and other players. Etiquette is an essential component of this sport.
