2024 Cognizant Classic: First Round Leader Odds, Picks & Predictions
There’s a lot of noise in the golf world about how the PGA Tour has lost a lot of star appeal in 2024. The names at the top of leaderboards certainly don’t rise to the level of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino or Nick Faldo.
What this year has produced are some amazing stories of perseverance. Last week’s winner, Jake Knapp, has that trait in spades. The 29-year-old rookie went from UCLA to Korn Ferry Tour dropout, nightclub bouncer and now 2024 Mexico Open Champion in a span of a decade. That’s got a Hollywood script written all over it. These are the kinds of success stories the Tour should be about.
Will the Cognizant Classic (formerly The Honda Classic) at PGA National in West Palm Beach, Fla., produce another improbable champion, or will we see a big name like Rory McIlroy or Cameron Young atop the leaderboard Sunday? I’ll be tuning in either way to find out.
However, that’s not why you’re here. You’re here to find out who has the best chance of firing the low round on Thursday. So, let’s get to it.
2024 Cognizant Classic Best First-Round Leader Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Daniel Berger (55-1)
Are you looking for the next great story to develop? Look no further than Daniel Berger. Before this season, the 30-year-old hadn’t teed it up in competition since the 2022 U.S. Open. Berger has three starts this year, and while he hasn’t finished better than T-28 at the WM Phoenix Open, he’s beginning to regain the form that made him a four-time tour winner.
Returning to the winner’s circle in his home state just a few hours down the road from where he played college golf for Florida State might not top Knapp’s story, but it certainly would be newsworthy. Berger has three top-five finishes here, so he’s comfortable at PGA National and is a great sleeper pick to be atop the leaderboard Thursday evening.
Alex Noren (60-1)
A native of Sweden, Alex Noren has 11 international victories. The 41-year-old, who played his college golf at Oklahoma State, has teed it up here five times and has a pair of top-five finishes. Noren fired an opening round 62 at The American Express last month, so he’s shown the ability to get out of the gate quickly. The Championship course at PGA National fits his game well. Noren is worth a sprinkle at this number.
Chris Kirk (55-1)
The defending champion here, it’s easy to forget Chris Kirk won The Sentry Tournament of Champions to start the year in a field loaded with the best golfers on Tour. Since that victory, the Atlanta native hasn’t placed better than T-26, but he’s had three straight T-25 or better finishes at PGA National.
Can he regain that championship feel and get off to a hot start on Thursday? I think he can, and you don’t want to have FOMO if he starts hot. Kirk is worth backing to lead the field after the first round.
Best of luck, and let’s cash some tickets!
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Tuesday: